Monthly Archives: July 2024

The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) mobilized a grant of Euros 13.1 million from Invest International on behalf of the Dutch government towards development of the ORIO mini hydro project for rural electrification.

The ORIO mini hydro power project entails construction of nine (09) mini hydro power plants (combined capacity of 6.7 MW) and construction of a local distribution network (288 KM) in the project area as well as connecting up-to 71,081 households and 2,300 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the project area (Kasese, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Hoima, Kabarole, Bunyangabu and Bundibugyo Districts) as a single project.

The small plants provide a captive, stable and reliable source of power for rural electrification in the project area, which mitigates the challenges of wheeling power over long distances. The basis for selecting the project sites was high social return in terms of rural electrification and not commercial viability.

The project is co-financed by the Government of Uganda and the ORIO Infrastructure fund managed by Invest International.

UECCC has procured two contractors to implement the project. HNAC Technology Co. Ltd from the People’s Republic of China will implement the Civil and Hydro-mechanical works and Ossberger GmbH from Germany will design, manufacture, supply and install the Electro-mechanical works of the Project.

On Thursday 25th July 2024, UECCC signed the Electromechanical Works Contract with Ossberger GmbH. The Acting Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands – Mr. Joost van Ettro presided over the signing ceremony held at UECCC offices.

Ossberger GmbH is a Germany based company founded in 1911 that specializes in the manufacture of Cross-flow turbines. It has a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable equipment and has a long history of supplying cross flow turbines to hydro power projects around the world.  In addition to its manufacturing capabilities, Ossberger also provides installation, commissioning, and maintenance services for its equipment.

The 7th Annual Banker’s Conference 2024 held on 19th June 2024 and organised by Uganda Bankers Association was a day full of learning, unlearning and relearning as Bankers and other esteemed partners in Uganda delved into the subject of Environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

With the theme; “Navigating the future of banking: ESG, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation”, various speakers and panelists delved deep into insightful discussions around ESG, Sustainability and Digital Transformation and how these are reshaping the banking landscape in Uganda.

It was noted that financial institutions occupy a pivotal position in addressing ESG risks because they can direct capital towards transformative investments and projects that are sustainable and bring about inclusivity coupled with positive environmental & social impact.

UECCC was recognised by Uganda Bankers’​ Association for their active participation as a Sponsor, Speaker and Contributor to their Conference magazine, and by banks that are already partnering with them for their role in enabling sustainable energy practices through affordable and accessible loans.

UECCC was represented by Managing Director, Roy Nyamutale Baguma as a keynote speaker and panelist on the vital topic: “Energy Sustainability for Uganda: Way Forward. Baguma underscored the necessity of energy sustainability given the pervasive use of energy resources globally. He added that energy is directly linked to the broader concept of sustainability and affects most economic activity worldwide.

He further reiterated UECCC’s role as a catalytic funder and encouraged the financial institutions present to forge partnerships with the company.

“I encourage all Financial Institutions represented here to get in touch with us so that we can partner and contribute to Energy Sustainability. We are currently implementing a project with a ticket size of USD110 million targeting off grid solar for lighting and charging, clean cooking solutions powered by solar, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas, and biogas. More importantly we are also addressing low-income levels through increased access to productive uses of energy such as water pumping, irrigation, refrigeration and cooling, water heating and grain milling”.

Lilian Rebeccah Akullo

Communications Specialist