Uganda’s Minister of State for Energy, Okasaai Opolot Sidronius, has issued a strong call to China Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) to take full responsibility for repairing the damaged spillway at Isimba Hydropower Dam.
The minister made the demand during a high-level meeting on-site emphasizing that Uganda’s taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of fixing a defect linked to the contractor’s work.
This latest development raises serious concerns about project accountability, foreign contracts, and the integrity of major infrastructure projects in Uganda.
The damage at Isimba Hydropower Dam one of Uganda’s key power generation facilities has sparked widespread debate about the quality of construction, oversight failures, and the long-term sustainability of Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in the country.
Built at a cost of $567.7 million with financing from China’s Export-Import Exim Bank, the dam was commissioned in 2019 as part of Uganda’s push to boost electricity supply.
However, recurring structural issues have cast doubt on its reliability.
The Ugandan government insists that CWE a Chinese company responsible for constructing Isimba Dam must cover the cost of repairs.
Minister Opolot made it clear that taxpayers cannot be expected to foot the bill for a project that should have been structurally sound from the start.
“This is a matter of accountability. The contractor must take responsibility for their work. Ugandan citizens should not be forced to pay for repairs caused by construction defects,” Opolot stated.
However, CWE has not yet publicly responded to the minister’s demands. The lack of clarity on who will fund the repairs has fueled frustration with many questioning whether Uganda’s procurement processes ensure quality assurance in major infrastructure projects.
The Isimba Dam issue is not just about a spillway it’s about the broader implications of Uganda’s dependency on foreign contractors for crucial infrastructure.
Over the past decade, Uganda has engaged Chinese firms for several large-scale projects, including roads, power plants, and oil pipelines.
While these projects have boosted economic growth, concerns over quality control and contract enforcement continue to surface.
Opposition politicians and civil society organizations argue that Uganda needs stricter measures to hold foreign contractors accountable. Some see the Isimba Dam crisis as another example of Africa’s over-reliance on Chinese construction firms without sufficient oversight.
Minister Opolot’s demand for CWE to take responsibility sets the stage for a legal and diplomatic case. If the company refuses to cover the costs, Ugandan government may be forced to pursue legal action or renegotiate the terms of their agreement.
For now Isimba Dam remains a symbol of both Uganda’s energy ambitions and the challenges of managing foreign-funded infrastructure.
