UEGCL Signs MOU with CEDAT – Makerere Aimed At Creating Knowledge and Skills in Several Education and Training Programs
On the 4th March 2017, UEGCL signed an MoU with Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Arts and Technology (CEDAT), and the momentous function was presided over by non-other than the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu, the Principal CEDAT, Dr. Henry Alinaitwe and Dr. Eng. Harrison Mutikanga, the Chief Executive Officer UEGCL.
UEGCL is a wholly owned Government Company that is redefining its destiny within its mandate. As will be recalled, the mandate of the Company is to “to establish, acquire, maintain, and operate electricity generation facilities and to promote Research and Development in the electricity generation sector while running the company on sound business principles”.
In line with the National Vision 2040, as well as the National Development Plans, UEGCL’s Strategic Direction 2015-2017 prioritized the Capacity Building, Research and Development as a means of improving efficiency in the Generation of Electricity. One of the envisaged means of achieving this is through partnerships with various institutions both academic and knowledge based.
On the 4th March 2017, UEGCL signed an MoU with Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Arts and Technology (CEDAT), and the momentous function was presided over by non-other than the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu, the Principal CEDAT, Dr. Henry Alinaitwe and Dr. Eng. Harrison Mutikanga, the Chief Executive Officer UEGCL.
The main objective of the MoU is for both parties to develop joint programs aimed at promoting knowledge and skills exchange from a practical and theoretical perspective. The partnership will also promote Research & Development in the Energy Field.
The partnership will be operationalized through the delivery of joint short, medium and long term projects in appropriate skills development and training programs relevant to the identified needs of both parties, promotion of students’ field attachment, support and promotion of studies in specialized fields in the energy sector, synergy in policy formulation and collaboration in corporate social responsibility activities among others. Use will be made of the Generation facilities that are already in existence and those under construction.
Specifically, the partnership will buttress one of UEGCL’s major aspiration to capacity development in the energy sector which is the establishment of the Hydropower Training and Vocational Centre (HTVC) aimed at addressing the emerging needs of both parties and the country at large. Again, this is in line with the Governments Vision of establishing centers of Excellence in the various sectors. Activities in this regard will include exchange of trainers, trainees, design of curriculum, and related activities.
Currently, Makerere University offers a programme on Renewable Energy. Indeed, such programmes will greatly benefit from UEGCL’s practical arena. This partnership will therefore in turn contribute towards the attainment of the Government of Uganda’s Goal of sustainable and affordable electricity to the people of Uganda.
