The Uganda-South Sudan electricity sharing agreement is set to receive over 300 million- US-dollar funding from international development partners to fund the project.

South Sudan has the world’s lowest electricity access rate – with only 7 percent of its 13 million population having access to electricity power, according to global data and business intelligence platform, Statista.

The power transmission agreement is expected to boost South Sudan’s electrification, create development and employment opportunities in the country.

Dr. Isaac Arikwe, the Program Coordinator of Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action said South Sudan will receive about 100 million US dollars from the European Union, 59 million US dollars from the African Development Bank, and 148 US dollars will be given as a loan to Uganda by the AfDB.

“South Sudan is going to be given a grant. One portion of the grant will come from the European Union which is going to provide a grant of about 100 million, then the AfDB will give a grant of about $59 million,” Arikwe said.

Dr. Arikwe underscored that South Sudan will have to account for the deficit of about 25 million US dollars as a sign of ownership of the mega power sharing project between the two countries.

Arikwe said the project will boost South Sudan’s economic development and industrialization which will open job and business opportunities to the nationals.

“Electricity access in South Sudan is still at a very low level, this transmission line connecting the two countries will help improve electrification in both urban and the rural areas.”

“This will contribute, of course, to economic, socio-economic development including industrialization opening up job opportunities, business opportunities for the communities in South Sudan and even the revenue for South Sudan itself.”

In May 2024, the Ugandan government negotiated with a Chinese company a 180- million US dollars deal to build a hydro power transmission line to Juba.

Many businesses and households in South Sudan depend on diesel-powered generators to operate, and the main electricity supplier Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) – hardly covers all residential areas of the capital.

The South Sudan government is scrambling between options of importing hydroelectricity from the region and building dams in a bid to find solutions to its energy problems.

In September 2023, South Sudan activated an agreement with Russia for the construction of a hydropower plant in the country.

The cooperation agreement reportedly signed in 2018, was revisited in a meeting in Moscow, a day after President Kiir met his counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

It came on the heels of uncertainties over the position of downstream countries like Egypt and Sudan, who have conflicted with Ethiopia over a newly built mega-dam.

South Sudan also signed an agreement in 2022 with Ethiopia to import 100 megawatts of hydroelectricity power for three years. The deal is yet to be implemented.

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Major General Leopold Kyanda, former UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, reminded all men and women in uniform (UPDF, Police, and Prisons Service) to maintain their spiritual connection with God for the success of their earthly missions.

He made this remark while officiating at the Armed Forces Prayer Breakfast at All-Saints Cathedral Church of the Resurrection in Bugolobi, Kampala.

Maj Gen Kyanda reiterated the message of Reverend Dr. Canon Nyegenye about the purpose of life, referencing the Old Testament’s account of Angel Michael, a spiritual warrior who fought and defeated the devil in heaven.

“The work that we do as men and women in uniform does not start today but started at that time. The purpose that they are telling us here is deeper because it was a warrior that went out and threw the devil out of heaven,” he emphasised.

He expressed remorse for the pain God endures when His children turn against Him, acknowledging the devil’s continued rebellion against God despite receiving everything. However, he noted that men and women in uniform are blessed to have a strong spiritual heritage and urged them to glorify God in their work.

“Know who you are, know your role and know your path, know what you can do. That is why you can go and defend your country no matter the place.  We should remember that we still have that connection with the arch angel. This is because of the presence of the holy spirit,” Maj Gen Kyanda told the congregation.

Reverend Dr. Conon Rabecca Nyegenye, Provost of All Saints Church Cathedral Nakasero, spoke from John 10:1-11, highlighting the devil’s destructive nature and God’s restorative power.

“We are all soldiers of Christ but armed forces are soldiers of what God has called them for. You battle with people who the devil has stolen their body self and have lost purpose in life. But it doesn’t matter where one has reached, the Lord makes his people whole again,” she encouraged.

The Reverend thanked the joint forces for their presence and commended them for their work, urging them to enjoy their service with exceeding joy, like onward Christian soldiers going to war with courage and purpose.

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Former Rubaga RCC Herbert Anderson Burora has been further remanded to Luzira prison up to July 19, 2024 to allow the state to verify the authenticity of the documents presented by his three sureties.

Burora has been charged afresh for offences relating to hate speech and spreading malicious information against Speaker Anita Among. Buganda Road court ordered DPP to amend the charge sheet to include his contentious remarks on X.

The Prosecution says Burora called the speaker a murderer, kidnapper, torturer, and corrupt.

Burora’s remand of one week will allow the Court to make a decision on his bail application

He was picked up on July 1, 2024 by plain-clothed men from his residence in Ntinda and held in several police stations before winding up at Central Police Station, Kampala. Burora was then presented to the Buganda Road Court and remanded to Luzira.

Last week Anita Among pledged to listen to the concerns of one Fatuma Nansubuga, who was arrested in front of Parliament holding a placard written that the Speaker must resign. 

 Anita Among’s statement was received as a green light in Uganda’s political landscape. It suggested a potential shift towards greater openness and dialogue between the government and its citizens and it is also a sign that the voices of the people are beginning to be heard. However, the citizens also called for the release of the embattled Burora. 

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