The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has been recognised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system and excellence.
The parastatal company that generates electricity for use in Uganda and for sale in neighboring countries passed with flying colours to get the ISO 9001, an international standard that outlines the requirements an organization must maintain to provide goods and services that meet applicable requirements.
“We are glad that Uganda’s electricity generation has been recognised by the ISO,” said UEGCL chief executive officer, Mr Harrison Mutikanga, speaking during the announcement at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Friday. I am proud to have steered UEGCL to ISO 9001:2015 certification and look towards better governance and performance.”
Having ISO certified management systems ensures that the services offered are safe, reliable and sustainable, of good quality and environmentally friendly. It is also a tool used to reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors and increasing productivity.
“UEGCL went through a rigorous process that involved several audits by a United Kingdom accreditation firm called ACM, they found us worthy the certification,” Eng. Mutikanga explained to an impressed audience that included the energy minister, Irene Muloni, UEGCL board chairperson, Proscovia Njuki and the Electricity Regulatory Authority CEO Ziria Tibalwa Waako among others.
“We shall maintain certification in the standards meaning we shall maintain the highest standards of quality, safety and the environment.”
UEGCL spokesman Simon Kasyate, highlighted that the being the only local entity in the energy sector with international accreditation for the next three years will boost their capacity to produce power to support the government’s economic development agenda.
Part of the stars that made it possible for UEGCL to qualify for ISO certification #ISO4UEGCL pic.twitter.com/gwpqJoJgYC
— UEGCL OFFICIAL PAGE (@UegclP) August 11, 2017
UEGCL also launched a bi-annual newsletter known as ‘GENEWS’ which Mr. Mutikanga explained will provide in depth information on electricity generation.
Big strides
The company was incorporated in March 2001 to operate and maintain the formerly UEB’s Generation Stations at Nalubaale and Kiira Power Stations, and to complete the construction of Kiira Power Station. With the completion of Kiira, UEGCL moved on to development of other large and small hydropower stations in various parts of the country.
Mutikanga said in the next two years, about 846MW of electricity will be added on to the grid. “This will be achieved through the implementation of the Karuma (600MW) and Isimba (183MW) projects. Other projects in the pipeline are the Muzizi (44.7MW) and the Nyagak (5.5MW) hydropower plant projects for which construction works are due to commence next year,” he said in an exclusive interview with Future Energy Uganda.
Other projects to be undertaken include four small hydropower sites namely: Maziba SHPP (1MW), Okulacere SHPP- 6.5MW, Agbinika SHPP – 2.2MW, and Nabuyonga – 5.4MW.
According to Dr Mutikanga, UEGCL intends to undertake feasibility studies for the aforementioned small hydropower plants whose objective it is to promote access of electricity to the rural and remote areas of Uganda.
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