As stated by the AfDB, the development objective of the project is to increase electricity access for households, public institutions, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through a combination of main grid and mini-grid solutions. The project seeks to improve access to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity, while supporting socio-economic development, productive use of energy, and improved service delivery in education and health.

The Uganda Rural Electricity Access Project – Phase II (UREAP-II) is a rural electrification project designed to expand access to electricity in Uganda through a combination of main grid expansion, solar PV mini-grid development, and last-mile connections. The project will finance distribution grid extensions, a solar PV mini-grid on Damba Island, household and MSME connections, project management, institutional support, and environmental and social management measures, including RAP implementation. The total project cost is estimated at EUR 104.39 million, financed by an African Development Bank loan of EUR 86.58 million, a Climate Investment Funds (CIF) loan of USD 15 million, a CIF grant of USD 2 million, and a Government counterpart contribution equivalent to EUR 3.16 million.

The project will directly benefit households, MSMEs, schools, and health centres through a total of 259,723 new electricity connections over the six-year implementation period. These include 256,330 households, 3,194 MSMEs, 161 schools, and 38 health centres. Of these, the solar PV mini-grid on Damba Island in Mukono District, in the Central Region, will serve 1,990 connections, including 1,896 households, 88 MSMEs, 4 schools, and 2 health centres. More broadly, the main grid interventions will cover 41 districts across Uganda’s central, eastern, mid-western, northern and western regions, namely: Adjumani, Agago, Amuru, Arua, Maracha, Oyam, Yumbe, Buliisa, Kagadi, Kamwenge, Kassanda, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Kitagwenda, Kyenjonjo, Luwero, Otuke, Amudat, Bugiri, Busia, Buyende, Kamuli, Kween, Manafwa, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Serere, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Gomba, Kabarole, Kanungu, Kisoro, Lyantonde, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Sembabule. Based on the number of new connections and average household size, the project is expected to provide first-time electricity access to nearly 1,179,118 people, including approximately 601,471 women and 271,252 youth.

As stated on the company's website, Bujagali Energy Limited is a leading power producer, delivering affordable and clean energy in Uganda through the Bujagali Hydro Power Plant located near Lake Victoria, on the Victoria Nile.

AfDB Team leader:

Andrew Muguwa
Email: a.muguwa@afdb.org 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBÕs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/