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  • Traditional dancers welcome Mawlana Hazar Imam, who is in Uganda for the opening of the Bujagali Hydropower Project and to mark the 50th anniversary of Ugandan independence.
    The Ismaili | 08 October 2012 | Uganda

    Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives for opening of Bujagali hydropower plant and to mark 50 years of Uganda’s independence

    Traditional dancers welcome Mawlana Hazar Imam, who is in Uganda for the opening of the Bujagali Hydropower Project and to mark the 50th anniversary of Ugandan independence. Gary Otte
  • Upon his arrival in Entebbe, Mawlana Hazar Imam is received by Dr James Mutende, Uganda’s State Minister for Industry.
    The Ismaili | 08 October 2012 | Uganda

    Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives for opening of Bujagali hydropower plant and to mark 50 years of Uganda’s independence

    Upon his arrival in Entebbe, Mawlana Hazar Imam is received by Dr James Mutende, Uganda’s State Minister for Industry. Gary Otte

Entebbe, Uganda, 8 October 2012 – Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Entebbe today for the opening of the Bujagali Hydropower Project and to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Uganda’s independence.

The Honourable Asuman Kiyingi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr James Mutende, Minister of State for Industry received Mawlana Hazar Imam on behalf of the Government of Uganda. Ismaili Council for Uganda President Huzur Mukhi Mohamed Lalani and AKDN Resident Representative Mahmood Ahmed welcomed Hazar Imam on behalf of the Jamat and Imamat institutions.

The Bujagali hydropower plant provides a huge boost to Uganda's economy, which has historically been severely challenged by an inadequate and costly supply of electricity. Its five turbines generate 250 megawatts of electricity, doubling the country's generation capacity and providing almost 50 per cent of the country's electricity needs. The USD $900 million project was funded by its shareholders – the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power and the Government of Uganda – as well as a consortium of lenders.

Later today, Mawlana Hazar Imam will join President Yoweri Museveni at Jinja for the inauguration of the Bujagali Hydropwer Project, which takes place on the eve of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Uganda's independence. Heads of state from across Africa are also expected to take part in the country's milestone commemoration.