Surveyors Spotlight Sustainability at Karuma: ISU Tours link Mega Projects to Biodiversity Protection. 

In a powerful demonstration of the surveying profession's evolving role beyond measurement, members of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda (ISU) yesterday toured two flagship national infrastructure sites in Karuma as part of Day 3 activities of the 10th Pre-AGM Conference, Global Surveyors’ Week, and lead-up to Surveyors’ Day celebrations. 

The technical study tours took participants to the recently commissioned 600MW Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station and Dam and the ongoing Karuma–Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project, underscoring how land, water, and geospatial professionals are indispensable in harmonizing large-scale development with environmental conservation.

The conference was held under the theme: “Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration: Land, Water and Construction Professionals’ Role in Conserving for the Present and Future Generations”

The tour provided hands-on insight into the intricate balance required for sustainable infrastructure.

According to Eng. Aloysius Gonza, the ISU President described the tours as transformative: “These site visits turned abstract discussions into tangible reality. Surveyors are no longer mere technicians; we are key stewards ensuring infrastructure advances without compromising Uganda’s rich biodiversity, water security, and land heritage” he said

Commissioned in 2024, the Karuma Hydropower Project, Uganda's largest power generation facility, is operated by the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), with the run-of-river scheme features six 100MW Francis turbines, an underground powerhouse, and extensive tunneling. It now injects 600MW of clean renewable energy into the national grid, significantly boosting Uganda's installed capacity.

Tour participants learned how surveyors contribute at every stage: from initial geospatial mapping and boundary demarcation to terrain analysis, construction oversight, and long-term environmental monitoring.

While in Kiryandongo District, the group was welcomed by Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) staff and operators. After safety inductions and a group photo with the Nile roaring below, they entered the briefing room for a detailed presentation.

UEGCL officials emphasized ongoing commitments to safeguard nearby communities, wildlife habitats, and the fragile Nile ecosystem—efforts that demand precise surveying to ensure compliance and support biodiversity restoration.

Complementing the energy focus, the group visited the Karuma–Gulu Water Supply Project, managed by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).

The initiative abstracts raw water from the Nile at Karuma, treats it at a modern plant, and delivers it through a 72-kilometre pipeline to Gulu City and six intermediary towns. With an initial capacity of 10,000 cubic metres per day and expansion planned to 30,000 cubic metres—including a 5,000m³ reservoir in Gulu—the project addresses growing urban water demands while prioritizing catchment protection.

NWSC highlighted the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and surveying expertise in pipeline alignment, environmental safeguards, and sustainable resource management—directly aligning with the ISU theme.

During Day 3 of the week-long events running March 16–21 in Gulu City, also featured professional dialogues, networking, and CSR initiatives. Participants praised the choice of Karuma sites for vividly illustrating the profession’s contributions to national goals of sustainable development and environmental resilience.

As Uganda accelerates its infrastructure agenda, yesterday’s tours served as a timely reminder: responsible surveying is central to building a greener, more equitable future.