River Nile, Isimba Falls, Kayunga District, Central Uganda
The Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, operational since 2019, is a 183MW dam on the Nile, 4 km downstream of Isimba Falls. Developed with Chinese financing, it provides affordable electricity to Uganda’s central grid.
Isimba’s construction cost $568 million and included a 15 km transmission line. Critics highlight its flooding of ecosystems and inadequate compensation for displaced communities. The dam’s reservoir also disrupted local fisheries, though it reduced electricity tariffs by 17%.
Over 70% of construction workforce were Ugandans, building valuable technical skills.
Completed in just 4 years (2015-2019), faster than similar regional projects.
Included construction of 100km of new roads and bridges in Kayunga District.
