UPDF Starts Clearing Floating Island at Nalubale Dam

The Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi Wednesday instructed UPDF Engineers to start clearing a floating Island on the river Nile.

On Tuesday the island blocked water flow at Nalubale Dam in Jinja and caused power blackout in the entire country, minutes before the President addressed the nation about the way forward in fighting the novel virus that has paralysed the world.

The work at the dam commenced Wednesday evening and is expected to take seven days.

According to the UPDF, the work will be supervised by Chief of Engineers Brigade, Brig Gen Besigye Bekunda.

 

Speaking at the site, Brig. Gen. Besigye said the vegetation blocked turbines which affected power generation and will be removed mechanically using excavators and Tippers from Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC) and ministry of works.

Brig. Bekunda who was also present said there is another floating island 7km away floating towards the dam and needs to be blocked using a wire mesh before it reaches the Dam to cause more damage.

“All this is due to the increasing water levels of Lake Victoria due to heavy rains and human activity”. He said.

Present to witness the commencement of the work was, the Commandant Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, the Commandant URDCC Brig Gen Peter Gaetano Omola among others.