officials from the Ministry of Energy appeared before the Committee of Natural Resources to answer to queries put to them by the Committee. One of the questions that were put to their faces was in -regard to the cancellation of the Kiba Dam Memorandum of understanding that delayed the construction of Kiba Hydro Power Project across the Nile by the China Africa Investment and Development Company. “ERA gave a permit to this same company to go on and develop this Kiba Dam.” Said, Thomas Tayebwa – Ruhinda North MP. “Before the cancellation and then actually how it is also issued on for the fifth. I would like to get an explanation from the Ministry why it was canceled, what are the reasons why? And then why on the fifth.” Said, Nathan Nabeta – Jinja East MP.

“Because of the problems we got in Simba and Karuma, we agreed to this business of single sourcing.” Said the Ruhinda North MP. Controversy arose from the fact that the Electricity Regulatory Authority gave notice for issuing of the license days after the contract had been canceled by the Ministry. “The Ministry saying this, but all we are seeing is that they are not in tandem with what they did.” Said the Ruhinda North MP. “The permit was issued on the 24th July and we have when I had issued a letter terminating the MOU because the MOU was not sustainable. And that didn’t mean that we would not negotiate with the investors because we would go into a new MOU if it was necessary.” Stephen Isabalija – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy.

Legislators dissatisfied with their statements asked officials from ERA to return to the Committee on the 10th of August. “To come back with all the solid details regarding that whole program of Kiba. Kiba is an important Dam for us and we don’t want to have of course any unnecessary delays like we have had in other previous engagements with contractors.” Said, Alex Byarugaba – Chairman Natural Resources Committee. Meanwhile, the Committee also questioned why there were so many uncertified artisans mining minerals across the country. “Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba has not yet got certification at the institute level, so the process of certifying our artisans is probably very far.” Said, Herbert Ariiko – Soroti Municipality MP.

“If I go to Isingiro one person wakes up since he born in Isingiro and starts mining gold. And when you reach and find him, he will say he is an artisan. Now the same thing in Mubende as you have heard the influx in Mubende.” Said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy.