Plans to light up more areas in Kalangala's biggest island are underway. Last week, Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) launched the construction of their 1.6MW hybrid solar and diesel power at Bukuzindu village in Mugoye sub-county, and promised it would be completed within seven months.
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The announcement will be more than welcome news for a district that has great tourism potential, but has been let down by limited availability of power. For KIS, this is a welcome break from the criticism they have received over the years, and is expected to cool any tempers that the communities might have over the company's other projects.
According to plans, as much as $17m is expected to be spent to build the power plant. The whole of Buggala island is to receive power when the project is complete.
"We started with putting up electric poles in late July this year and works are still going on. Today, the contractor has supplied more than 500 creosote-treated electricity poles which have been distributed in Bugoma, Mutambala, Kasekulo, Mulore, Buswa and other parts of the island," said KIS Managing Director John Opiro at the commissioning of the works last week.
He further noted that more than 2,000 people would receive free electricity poles near their homes and businesses to quickly access power when it is finally switched on. Andrew Mugura, who represented Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said this solar power station was being looked at as a pilot project and that if it became successful, the same technology would be used to take power to other areas on the different islands.
Of all the 350 islands on Lake Victoria, Kalangala has a total of 84, with only Buggala island having some electricity. In his address to the people of Kalangala, Abraham Byandala, the minister for works and transport, who represented the vice-president at the launch, said the government, together with KIS, was engaged in a speedy, efficient and cost-effective delivery of key projects to the people of Kalangala.
"KIS has made great progress on Buggala island ever since it arrived and we are confident that the four projects embarked on will be successful and impact positively on the economic growth and well-being of the people of Kalangala," he said.
"We anticipate a clean water system, electricity and an efficient transport system," he added.
As is the case with many other projects, the electricity initiative has its issues. Some residents are demanding compensation for the effects that have come with the planning for the electricity and the widening of the roads.
Mugoye sub-county Chairperson Josephine Nalunga told the minister that it would be unfortunate if the projects left her people in total poverty after completion. Nalunga said the government promised to compensate for every property that would be destroyed. Although some property had been affected, there had not been any compensation, she said.
"We expect these projects to help our people fight poverty but if they are implemented without compensating our people for the loss of their property, then we shall be disappointed," she said.
The government contracted Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) to develop infrastructure in the district. KIS's assignments include operating ferry services on the lake, constructing roads, and putting up safe water projects.
Opiro said the company was transforming the transport business on the island.
"Last year, we delivered the MV Pearl, which is a fast and modern ferry that is plying between Luku in Bukakkata, Masaka district and Bugoma landing site here in Kalangala, as we prepare to bring another ferry MV Ssese which is nearing completion in Mwanza."
The announcement will be more than welcome news for a district that has great tourism potential, but has been let down by limited availability of power. For KIS, this is a welcome break from the criticism they have received over the years, and is expected to cool any tempers that the communities might have over the company's other projects.
According to plans, as much as $17m is expected to be spent to build the power plant. The whole of Buggala island is to receive power when the project is complete.
"We started with putting up electric poles in late July this year and works are still going on. Today, the contractor has supplied more than 500 creosote-treated electricity poles which have been distributed in Bugoma, Mutambala, Kasekulo, Mulore, Buswa and other parts of the island," said KIS Managing Director John Opiro at the commissioning of the works last week.
He further noted that more than 2,000 people would receive free electricity poles near their homes and businesses to quickly access power when it is finally switched on. Andrew Mugura, who represented Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said this solar power station was being looked at as a pilot project and that if it became successful, the same technology would be used to take power to other areas on the different islands.
Of all the 350 islands on Lake Victoria, Kalangala has a total of 84, with only Buggala island having some electricity. In his address to the people of Kalangala, Abraham Byandala, the minister for works and transport, who represented the vice-president at the launch, said the government, together with KIS, was engaged in a speedy, efficient and cost-effective delivery of key projects to the people of Kalangala.
"KIS has made great progress on Buggala island ever since it arrived and we are confident that the four projects embarked on will be successful and impact positively on the economic growth and well-being of the people of Kalangala," he said.
"We anticipate a clean water system, electricity and an efficient transport system," he added.
As is the case with many other projects, the electricity initiative has its issues. Some residents are demanding compensation for the effects that have come with the planning for the electricity and the widening of the roads.
Mugoye sub-county Chairperson Josephine Nalunga told the minister that it would be unfortunate if the projects left her people in total poverty after completion. Nalunga said the government promised to compensate for every property that would be destroyed. Although some property had been affected, there had not been any compensation, she said.
"We expect these projects to help our people fight poverty but if they are implemented without compensating our people for the loss of their property, then we shall be disappointed," she said.
The government contracted Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) to develop infrastructure in the district. KIS's assignments include operating ferry services on the lake, constructing roads, and putting up safe water projects.
Opiro said the company was transforming the transport business on the island.
"Last year, we delivered the MV Pearl, which is a fast and modern ferry that is plying between Luku in Bukakkata, Masaka district and Bugoma landing site here in Kalangala, as we prepare to bring another ferry MV Ssese which is nearing completion in Mwanza."