By Eriah Lule
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has implored the residents of Koome Island to cooperate in the island’s electrification project. This was said during a dialogue with local leaders of the 32 villages on the island.
Dr. Stephen Kyakulumbye, a senior lecturer in the UCU School of Business, noted that as they are planning this electrification process, they need the full cooperation of the leaders as well as patience since it takes long processes and certificates for the service provider to kick off.
“Electrification is a long process, and as you have trusted us, I pray for your maximum cooperation and patience,” he said. “Our service provider is ready, and his designs have been accredited all over the world.”
He cautioned residents that such projects are not made in a glance of time, or if they were, they would be called “white elephant projects.” UCU’s main role is to work with the service provider, Global High Technology Limited, from Belgium, and conduct more research, as well as train professionals who will run the system.
Henry Ndidde, the Sub-County Chief of Koome, noted that if the Islands get power, it will change their economic liberty as well as their pace of development.
“With electricity, we can develop these islands as well as enrich our income,” he said. “We thank the team at UCU for walking with us through this journey.”
He also urged the Chairpersons to consult with the Land Lords in areas where the cables will pass because they transmit power all over the islands.
The project began in 2019, when UCU submitted a proposal to GIZ Germany Cooperation in Uganda to electrify the islands. This was followed by Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development sending its surveyors to find a secure location for solar panel installation. The first two panels will be set on Koome Main and Damba Islands.
Since the project was born to solve various challenges, it is multidisciplinary. The team was led by Prof. Elizabeth Kizito, the Director of Partnerships, Research, and Innovations and former Dean of Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Stephen Kyakulumbye from the School of Business; and Dr. Miria Agunyu, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design.
