ERA - Electricity Regulatory Authority

08/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/04/2026 04:58

ERA Hands Over Equipment to the DWRM for the promotion of Dam Safety in Uganda

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) recently handed over equipment to the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) of the Ministry of Water and Environment, to facilitate Dam Safety across the Country. The equipment that includes a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone and two large-screen display monitors was acquired through a collaboration between ERA and the Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE) funded by the Government of Norway.

The equipment will support dam safety inspections, flood risk assessments, monitoring of rivers and reservoirs, surveying hydraulic infrastructure, the collection of geospatial data and rapid assessments during emergencies, which is expected to improve the accuracy and timeliness of information used for planning, risk management and climate resilience.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the ERA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, noted that the partnership with NVE had played a key role in strengthening Uganda's dam and waterway safety systems through technical support, knowledge sharing and institutional capacity building.

She highlighted that the cooperation programme, which commenced in 2022 and runs until December 2026, had supported the review of dam safety guidelines, development of an enforcement framework, classification of dams and hydraulic structures, specialised technical training, benchmarking visits to Norway, and studies aimed at strengthening Uganda's dam safety regulatory framework.

Eng. Waako said that the handover demonstrated the partners' shared commitment to equipping institutions with modern technologies to improve dam safety oversight and safeguard lives, property and the environment.

She expressed appreciation to the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and NVE for their continued support, and commended the Ministry of Water and Environment, DWRM and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) for their collaboration in facilitating the successful delivery of the equipment.

Receiving the equipment, the Acting Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Management at the DWRM, Eng. Dominic Mucunguzi, thanked the Government of Norway and ERA for their continued support towards strengthening Uganda's capacity to manage dams and waterways safely. He said that the partnership had not only enhanced the country's regulatory framework but also strengthened the technical capacity of DWRM through specialised training in dam safety, inspections and data management.

Eng. Mucunguzi noted that, under the same cooperation programme, four DWRM staff members had successfully completed specialised drone training and obtained Remote Pilot Certificates, giving the Directorate the in-house capacity to safely and professionally operate the drone. He added that this investment in both equipment and human capacity would ensure that the drone is fully utilised to support dam safety inspections, monitoring and emergency response.

Both ERA and DWRM reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in strengthening Uganda's dam and waterway safety systems through technology, knowledge sharing and institutional capacity development.
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