The Uganda Tourism Board has announced plans to use Karuma hydropower dam to promote leisure industry in the country.
Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of UTB is optimistic that once completed, the dam shall guarantee the sustainability of the sector.
She encouraged investors to establish leisure facilities that meet international standard including hotels with classic accommodation, swimming pool, shopping mall, restaurant, souvenir shops and museum among others
Ajarova says they will also introduce boat cruises at the power dam for proper scenic views to encourage more tourists into the country.
“The great experience on R. Nile watching the scenic view of the dam as well as going underground the tunnel to see how power is generated, will boost Uganda’s tourism industry,” Ajarova said.
She says other activities including sport fishing, bird watching, and first class hotels are also expected at the dam to sustain constant peak of both domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year.
The $1.7 billion hydropower dam is located at Karuma falls on the River Nile in Kiryandongo district, along the Kampala-Gulu highway.
Karuma hydropower dam has six tunnels with 238metres long and a diameter of 7.7metres as well as six concrete pressure shafts with 7.7metres diameter and lengths ranging between 328.59metres and 379.18metres.
The project also have six tailrace branch tunnels and two tailrace tunnels with a diameter of 12.9metres and lengths of 8,690metres and 8,707metres respectively.
In total, the dam has a tunnel system that stretches up to 27km.
The Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station is a 600 MW hydroelectric power project under construction in Uganda. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country.
