Left to Right; ARU Vice Chancellor- Dr Mwalimu Musheshe, Dr Allawi Ssemanda, Mr. Arthur Atuha, Prof. Kamuntu and Mr. Kevin Basore with an official of China Southern Power Grid (Centre) at one of the dams of the corporation 

It’s been a visionary trip for African Rural University (ARU) as Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe Senior Ashoka and Dr. Allawi Ssemanda at ARU a -senior lecturer joined the rest of the world   at the Boao New Power System International Forum in Hainan Province, China, from December 8th to 11th, 2024.

Alongside ARU team was a delegation from Uganda, including Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu (Cabinet Member and Chairperson NRM Manifesto), Mr. Sam Rutagyengwa (Ibex Enterprise Uganda Ltd), Mr. Arthur Atuha (Researcher at Development Watch Centre), and Kevin Basore Munyambabazi (Solar Energy Uganda), explored transformative energy solutions.

During this visit, the team engaged in bilateral meetings and collaborative discussions to bring innovative power solutions back home. According to Dr. Allawi, “One of the most striking things was the clear coordination of government institutions to government programmes, ideology, and government’s direct involvement in development work.”

“In China, they are quoting national programmes. There is alignment of messages with national interests. China is completely far. Technological advancements are extremely far, and China has harnessed power for their use and also for capital gain,” added Dr. Mwalimu who has been an advocate of linking ideology into academia to promote national development in Uganda

This year alone, China Southern Power Grid Company has generated a profit of $116 billion. The dam was built in 45 months,”