Sinking Shs500bn in the Sun: How Uganda’s Solar Irrigation Dream Turned to Dust

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Uganda’s government-backed solar irrigation programme, funded by a loan of about Shs 500 billion, has delivered far fewer schemes than planned and has faced audits showing failed sites, wasted spending and stalled works. The project was intended to support farmers and rural communities through solar-powered water supply and irrigation systems, with particular focus on drought-prone areas such as Karamoja. Parliament approved the financing in 2019, and the loan was arranged through UK Export Finance and Standard Chartered Bank, according to the report.

The article says the programme was designed to deliver 920 systems nationwide, but implementation problems have affected multiple districts. Citing an investigation and the 2025 Auditor General’s report, Nile Post says some sites failed at the feasibility stage, others collapsed during design or construction, and some completed systems have not been accessible to intended users. The report also points to alleged political interference, weak community engagement, and cases where access to government-funded water points was restricted.

By the project deadline in June 2024, only 122 of 687 planned schemes had been completed, the report says. It adds that Parliament has since moved toward approving a second financing package for Phase II, drawing criticism from some opposition lawmakers who want a fuller performance audit first. The story matters because Uganda remains heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, and the failure of irrigation infrastructure leaves many farmers exposed to worsening drought conditions.