Karuma Dam EIA Report Part 2
KARUMA HPP(600MW)_________________________________________________ EIPL CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. Uganda has a total landmass of 241,000 sq. km, 18 percent of which is covered by freshwater bodies. Lying astride the equator, Uganda offers exceptional diversity, combining some of the best features of Africa, including the source of the River Nile(the second longest river in the World) and Lake Victoria(the second largest fresh water lake in the World). The country’s geographical diversity is great. In the East, it overlaps the tropical Savannah and in the West, African rain-forest zones lies. Moreover, there are many existing contrasting physical features, ranging from extensive plains with undulating hills to snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, meandering rivers and spectacular flora and fauna. The country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources. These include plentiful biomass supplies, extensive hydrological resources, favorable solar conditions and large quantities of biomass residues from agricultural production, among others. With about 43,942 km 2 of wetlands and open water (18% of total area), Uganda is considered fairly well endowed with water resources. Major water bodies include lakes Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, George and Edward while major rivers include the Nile, Ruizi, Katonga, Kafu, Mpologoma and Aswa. Almost the whole of Uganda lies within the Nile basin, which is shared by 10 countries. Favorable atmospheric conditions and mighty river provides abundant hydropower potential estimated at about 2,000 MW mainly along River Nile that can be developed to supply isolated areas or feed into the national grid.
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