Review Phase I and appraisal Phase II of the UETCL-Statnett twinning arrangement for capacity development Uganda

This paper reviews the achievements of Phase I of the twinning arrangement that started in 2006 between the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company and Norway’s Statnett SF, and appraises Phase II of it. The overall objective of the cooperation was to contribute to a viable electricity sector in Uganda. In addition, the project purpose was to make the national transmission company more efficient and fully competent to fulfill its role as the Ugandan single buyer and transmission system operator. Furthermore, the review and appraisal is based on a study of all relevant documents, and stakeholder interviews in Norway and Uganda.

The paper notes that project activities appear to be very well integrated into the everyday tasks of the Ugandan company, and this gives the project a high level of ownership well embedded in the company structure. The work load is, however, considerable, and this puts a limit on what project results are achievable in a given time. Nevertheless, the paper finds that the twinning arrangement has come up with a good and workable organisational setup, and both sides provide highly suitable staff to the exercise.

The paper concludes that:

• overall, the twinning arrangement is a successful capacity development project of high relevance for Uganda’s power sector
• the project purpose to make the company more efficient in fulfilling its public service obligations, is considered achieved
• the project can build from a good working relationship and a workable organisational setup from Phase I, and it can learn from its shortcomings for the proposed Phase II of twinning cooperation.