Uganda Drains Lake Victoria to Guarantee Energy Supply

Home

Living Planet | 27.07.2007 | 00:30

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Bujagali Dam will be the third dam helping to secure Uganda's energy supply

Uganda's energy supply relies heavily on the River Nile. Plans to build a third dam cause outrage with environmentalists who already criticise the government's way of draining Lake Victoria.

In Uganda construction will shortly begin on a new 250 megawatt hydropower dam. After 13 years of seeing plans delayed by corruption allegations, obdurate spirits and opposition from environmental lobbyists, all that remains is for the foreign financiers to hand over the promised cash. The east African country relies almost entirely on two existing dams at the source of the River Nile for all its energy needs. But drastically reduced water levels have drastically cast the country into darkness. Critics of the scheme question the sense in deepening the country’s dependency on one stretch of river.

Reporter: Richard Lough

Send » | Print »