The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has said the British government will help Uganda solve the problem of power shortage the country is currently facing.

Speaking after touring Kiira hydro-power dam yesterday, Prince Edward also spoke highly of the excellent diplomatic relations between Uganda and the United Kingdom.

 “Power and energy is the future. It is a hot topic not only for Uganda but all over the world. I am delighted about the relationship between British and Ugandan firms. Britain is delighted to help solve this problem here,” Prince Edward remarked.

His Royal Highness explained that while generation and transmission of power is a big challenge, it also offers “exciting opportunities” for companies to do business.

UMEME, a British firm, distributes power generated at Kiira dam formerly known as Owen Falls Dam. The dam was built by an English engineer, Sir Charles Redvers Westlake, from 1947 and opened by The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, in 1954.

 “This is fantastic. I will go back and tell my parents it (dam) is still functioning. It will be comforting because all of them were here at the inauguration,” the royal stated.

He said the relations between Uganda and Britain go years back when Speke and Grant discovered the source of River Nile and the Owen Falls during years of exploration in 1890s.

 “It’s a long relationship,” he said of Uganda, a former British colony.

At the rooftop of the dam, the prince met with business executives of major British firms doing business in Uganda and companies involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of power.

The event was hosted by UMEME Limited and ESCOM Uganda. ESCOM, a South African company, manages power generation at the dam.

Mr. Patrick Bitature, the UMEME board chairman, showed Prince Edward around the facility.