River Nile, near Karuma Falls, Northern Uganda
The Karuma Hydropower Plant, located on the Nile in Kiryandongo District, is Uganda’s largest dam with a 600 MW capacity. Construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2023, funded by China’s Exim Bank. It aims to eliminate load-shedding and support industrialization.
Built by Sinohydro Corporation, Karuma Dam faced delays due to corruption scandals and construction flaws. It features an underground power station to minimize environmental disruption. The dam is part of Uganda’s Vision 2040 plan but has raised concerns over debt sustainability and long-term maintenance costs.
Will nearly double Uganda's installed generation capacity when fully operational.
Created over 3,000 jobs during construction, with 90% being Ugandans.
Trained a generation of Ugandan engineers in complex underground construction.
