Contributions/roles of power and energy in development of Uganda

Positive contributions

• Thermal and HEP are sources of government revenue through taxes from petroleum importing companies like Shell Uganda.
• HEP aand thermal energy have promoted development of industries in Kampala, Mbale etc.
• Export of HEP earns foreign exchange to the country.
• Biomass energy has promoted resource exploitation such as clay mining at Kajjansi because it is used to bake clay products
• Biomass energy has promoted construction industry by firing mud bricks in Mukono, Wakiso, Moroto etc.
• Hydroelectricity generation at Bujjagali and Murchison falls has promoted tourism/research through fieldwork and study tours.
• Hydroelectricity and thermal energy generation provide employment to the people of Uganda.
• Generation of HEP has promoted growth of urban areas like Jinja, Arua etc.
• Thermal energy has encouraged contruction industries by empowering mixers
• HEP and thermal energy has promoted agriculture by providing light and warmth to rearing of chicken and other bird.

Negative contribution

• Construction and transimission of HEP displaces people.
• HEP and thermal powers sometimes cause fetal accidents
• Profit repatriation because power companies are privately owned mostly by foreigners.
• Biomass energy utilization leads to depletion of forests causing desertification
• HEP has promoted urbanization and its negative effects such as poor hygiene and high crime rates.