Government has vowed to fight corruption at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, warning that officials who demand bribes from investors and members of the public will face action.
Dr Monica Musenero said some individuals claiming to be ministry officials had allegedly been demanding money from people seeking access to the minister and other services.
She urged investors and members of the public not to deal with such individuals but to report them to the ministry for investigation and appropriate action.
Musenero made the remarks while closing the three-day International Renewable Energy Week at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The event was held under the theme, “From Systems to Scale: Transforming Uganda’s Green Economy.”
She said corruption and unethical conduct were undermining public confidence in the ministry and discouraging investors who wanted to pursue opportunities in the energy and minerals sectors.
Musenero said some individuals had allegedly presented themselves as intermediaries who could facilitate access to the minister, creating unnecessary barriers for people seeking government services.
She advised the public to visit the ministry’s offices at Amber House in Kampala, saying the ministry was accessible and that its services should not be controlled by people demanding unofficial payments.
“Those people should be reported to the ministry so that immediate action can be taken,” she said.
The minister said the alleged misconduct had damaged the ministry’s reputation, with some investors reportedly being discouraged from engaging directly with officials, including over mineral licensing.
She urged investors to use the ministry’s official channels when applying for licences or seeking other services. Where payments are required, she said, the relevant department would provide the appropriate bank account details.
Musenero said the government was committed to ensuring that investors could access public services without being subjected to extortion or unnecessary delays.
The minister also called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, investors and international development partners to expand access to clean energy and support Uganda’s economic transformation.
She said the International Renewable Energy Week had provided an opportunity to discuss challenges facing the sector and identify practical solutions.
“It was an opportunity to explore opportunities and challenges within the clean energy industry. We need to collaborate to address them,” Musenero said.
The conference brought together participants from Sweden, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Italy, Rwanda and Kenya, alongside representatives of international development agencies, including the African Development Bank, World Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
Discussions focused on financing bankable hydropower projects, regional energy integration and implementing Uganda’s contribution to Mission 300, an initiative aimed at expanding electricity access across Africa.
Musenero commended the European Union-Uganda engagement for providing a platform to discuss viable energy investments and ways of extending electricity to refugees and rural communities.
She said access to energy was essential for development and that no community should be left behind as Uganda expands its energy infrastructure.
Musenero encouraged local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in Uganda’s energy, minerals, oil and gas sectors, saying the country had significant natural resources that could support industrialisation and job creation.
On petroleum, Musenero said Uganda was preparing for first oil production and encouraged investors to explore opportunities linked to the emerging oil and gas industry.
