Dr. Biteko witnesses the signing of contracts to connect all districts in Kagera Region to the national power grid

📌 Previously, most of the electricity supply came from Uganda, making the region unreliable and with insufficient power.

📌 He says President Dr. Samia had already instructed that the project be implemented on time and with accuracy.

📌 Orders compensation payments for 1,014 residents affected by the project to begin in September 2025.

📌 Commends the Ministry of Energy and TANESCO for efficiency in project management.

By the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy

The Government’s pledge to connect all districts of Kagera Region to the national power grid has been fulfilled after the signing of contracts for the construction of a 220kV transmission line from Benako in Ngara to Kyaka in Missenyi District, along with a 220/33kV substation at Benako. This milestone guarantees that the region will now receive stable electricity from the national grid instead of relying heavily on Uganda.

Speaking after witnessing the contract signing in Dodoma on August 25, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Hon. Dr. Doto Biteko, said the project’s commencement was one of the directives of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was determined to fulfill the Government’s promise to the people of Kagera to have reliable electricity for both economic and social development.

“Through this project, Kagera Region will for the first time be fully connected to the national grid, ensuring reliable electricity access, especially in the districts of Bukoba, Muleba, Missenyi, Karagwe, Kyerwa, and surrounding areas. I assure the people of Kagera that the Government has already decided this project must be completed within just 24 months,” said Dr. Biteko.

He further explained that Kagera’s current demand does not exceed 47 megawatts, but the region will soon enjoy much more reliable supply as there will be multiple routes bringing electricity, including Benako–Karagwe–Kyaka, Nyakanazi–Biharamulo–Muleba, and an upcoming 400kV transmission line from Ibadakuli (Tanzania) to Mbarara (Uganda). Additionally, the 87MW Kakono hydropower project is in its final stages of contractor procurement.

Dr. Biteko also noted that President Samia is implementing several other national power projects, including the 400kV Tanzania–Zambia interconnection line, the 400kV Chalinze–Dodoma line, the Mkuranga–Pwani line to supply the southern regions, and the Tunduru–Masasi–Mahumbika transmission line to stabilize supply in the south.

“The execution of all these projects proves that President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has paved the way for delivering reliable electricity to the people. What is required from officials now is to run, not walk—the focus should be on results, not empty words,” emphasized Dr. Biteko.

He thanked the project financiers who contributed about USD 105.6 million and instructed that the funds be used transparently to encourage more partners to support future projects.

In another directive, Dr. Biteko ordered TANESCO to ensure the 1,014 residents affected by the project receive their compensation starting from September 2025.

He also praised the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Eng. Felchesmi Mramba, the Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Innocent Luoga, and TANESCO management for their diligence in overseeing the energy sector.

Furthermore, he commended TANESCO for continuously improving efficiency and ensuring fairness in tender processes. He insisted that project plans must be strictly adhered to so that taxpayers’ money delivers visible benefits to citizens.

Dr. Biteko urged the people of Kagera to seize opportunities that will arise from having reliable power once the projects are completed.

Kagera Regional Commissioner, Fatuma Mwassa, also thanked the Government for recognizing the importance of implementing such a large-scale project, saying it shows genuine care for its citizens. She said all districts in the region will now be connected to the national grid, whereas previously only three were connected.

She assured that residents will be responsible users of electricity and good bill payers to enable TANESCO to generate revenue for other projects.

Permanent Secretary Eng. Felchesmi Mramba said Kagera is among four regions not yet connected to the national grid, alongside Rukwa, Lindi, and Mtwara. He described the signing ceremony as historic because it puts every off-grid region under projects that will bring them into the grid.

Currently, Kagera receives 40MW from Uganda through the Kyaka substation and 7MW from a private investor operating the Mirongo/Kikagati project.

He added that when the Sixth-Phase Government took office, six out of 26 regions were not connected to the national grid. In four years, Kigoma and Katavi have already been connected, with the remaining regions covered by ongoing projects.

TANESCO’s Managing Director, Lazaro Twange, emphasized the project’s importance for Kagera, as districts like Kyerwa, Karagwe, Missenyi, Muleba, Bukoba Rural, and Bukoba Municipality have long depended on about 40MW imported from Uganda through the Kyaka substation, supplied from Masaka, Uganda via a 132kV line under a bilateral agreement.

Completion of this project will also enable the integration of the Kakono hydropower plant into the national grid.

The project costs TZS 262.5 billion and will be completed within 24 months. It is jointly financed by the Government of Tanzania and international development partners, with contributions including USD 60 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development, USD 30 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, USD 13 million from the Saudi Fund for Development, and USD 2.6 million from the Tanzanian Government to cover compensation for affected residents.

The contractors are M/s TBEA Co. Ltd from China, responsible for constructing the Benako substation, and M/s Transrail Lighting Limited from India, tasked with building the transmission line from Benako to Kyaka.