Surveyors Key in biodiversity and infrastructure Devpt: ISU President Wafula reveal at the study tour ahead of Surveyor’ Day.

Gulu, Uganda - The Institution of Surveyors of Uganda (ISU) has emphasized the critical role of surveyors in balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation during a technical study tour to the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station and Dam and the Karuma-Gulu Water Treatment Plant. 

The tour, part of the Pre-AGM Conference and Global Surveyors' Week activities, aimed to provide surveyors with practical exposure to major projects that link land, water, and construction practices to environmental stewardship. 

President, Institution of Surveyors of Uganda said that "Surveyors are not just technical measurers but also vital contributors to sustainable development. They highlight the surveying profession's role in balancing infrastructure development with ecosystem conservation, water security, land stewardship, and responsible restoration." 

The Karuma Hydropower Dam, with an installed capacity of 600 megawatts, demonstrates how large-scale energy infrastructure relies on effective land management, geospatial planning, environmental oversight, and ongoing monitoring. 

The project, commissioned by President Museveni in September 2024, is a run-of-river hydropower project with a concrete gravity dam, intakes, tunnels, and an underground powerhouse. 

The Karuma-Gulu Water Treatment Plant, which draws raw water from the River Nile at Karuma, highlights the importance of surveying in sustainable water infrastructure planning and catchment protection.

Robert Wafula, further  said that the study tour showcased the surveying profession’s role in achieving a balance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation.

"The inclusion of GIS surveying and mapping as core departments and services further emphasizes the importance of surveying for sustainable water infrastructure planning and catchment protection," he said 

The tours according to ISU were designed to give surveyors practical exposure to major projects that directly link land, water, and construction practices to environmental stewardship.

 The visits reflects the conference theme, which centers on biodiversity conservation and restoration, as well as the role of land, water, and construction professionals in safeguarding resources for both current and future generations.

 According to UEGCL, the station began commercial operations on 12 June 2024 and was commissioned by President Museveni in September 2024. It has an installed capacity of 600 megawatts from six 100 MW Francis turbines.

 Furthermore, UEGCL states that operations must safeguard the dam, nearby communities, the environment, and local wildlife. This balance makes the site highly relevant to a biodiversity-focused discussion on surveying.

On the water side, the Karuma project draws raw water from the River Nile at Karuma and transports it in bulk to Gulu, while also supplying six towns along the route.

The project includes a raw water intake, a water treatment plant, a 72-kilometre transmission pipeline, and a 5,000 cubic metre reservoir in Gulu. It was designed to initially deliver 10,000 cubic metres of water per day, with plans for future expansion to increase capacity to 30,000 cubic metres per day.

NWSC’s environmental mission also closely aligns with the purpose of the study tour. Its commitment to providing water and sewerage services while conserving the environment highlights the broader sustainability agenda behind the visit. Its inclusion of GIS surveying and mapping as core departments and services further emphasises the importance of surveying for sustainable water infrastructure planning and catchment protection.