The Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources has resolved that the spillway defects at Isimba Dam will undergo a Physical Model Test (PMT) in China to determine the root cause of the structural issues and assess the need for a third spillway.
Committee Chairperson Herbert Ariko announced the decision following an oversight visit and a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), China International Water and Electric Corporation (the contractor), and Artelia & KKATT Consults (the owner’s engineer).
Ariko emphasized the importance of the PMT in identifying defects and implementing the right solutions. The 1:20 scale model test will diagnose the root cause, while the 1:40 model test will determine whether an additional spillway is necessary to meet discharge capacity requirements.
A delegation comprising representatives from the owner’s engineer, the contractor, UEGCL, the Ministry of Energy, and a panel of experts will travel to China to witness the tests. The exercise must be completed by March 30, 2025, after which technical recommendations will guide the repair process.
In addition to the PMT, a technical team has been assigned to develop measures for creating dry conditions to facilitate thorough inspection and repairs.
“This is a matter of national interest; all parties must strictly adhere to the agreed timelines so that we can resolve these defects once and for all,” Ariko stated.
The committee also resolved that the Minister of Energy will continue to provide overall project guidance. If disputes arise during execution, the minister may appoint a mediator to facilitate resolutions beyond the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms in the engineering, procurement, and construction contract.
Under the accelerated work program, the contractor is required to revise the Master Completion Schedule and submit a final, approved version by April 30, 2025. An experienced planning manager must also be appointed to oversee the process in line with contract provisions.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway to establish a separate insurance policy specifically for spillway works, distinct from the general Construction All Risks Policy. A joint meeting of the Ministry of Energy, Solicitor General, UEGCL, Insurance Regulatory Authority, owner’s engineer, and contractor will finalize the modalities.
“We are taking a comprehensive approach to ensure that all aspects, from technical solutions to financial safeguards, are addressed. This dam is critical to Uganda’s power generation, and we cannot afford any further setbacks,” Ariko emphasized.
The Minister of State for Energy, Sidronius Okasaai, estimated the cost of resolving the issue at around $150 million (Shs 549.9billion), though the final amount may vary based on site conditions.
“One major issue is the spillway. Another is implementing a comprehensive plan, considering insurance and work plan execution. With electricity demand increasing, losing 183 megawatts from the grid would be disastrous,” Okasaai warned.
Prof. Wang Yongtian, Vice President of China International Water and Electric Corporation, reaffirmed the contractor’s commitment to completing the work with quality assurance.
