Who is Okaasai Sidronius Opolot? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, MP Kumi County, Makerere University, EACOP, National Resistance Movement (NRM), early life and education of the current Minister of State for Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in Uganda.
Okaasai Sidronius Opolot is the Republic of Uganda’s Minister of State for Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
In the 11th Parliament (2021 – 2026), Okaasai Sidronius Opolot is the representative of Kumi County in Eastern Uganda as a National Resistance Movement (NRM) member.
Early Life and Education
Sidronius Opolot Okasai was born in 1958. He has a Bachelor of Science in Plant Protection with a Major from AL- Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya, and a Master of Science in Plant Disease Management from the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, UK.
Career and Professional Work Experience
Having worked in the agricultural sector since 1983 at various levels, he went on to take up the post of Director of Crop Resources at the Ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries.
He has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in public administration and is a specialist in crop science, epidemic control in crops, and crop resources.
The President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni replaced Hon. Simon Djang as State Minister for Energy with Hon. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot in 2021.
He has served as both a Minister of State for Energy and a Member of Parliament representing Kumi County in Eastern Uganda since 2021.
Achievements and Awards
Opolot is enthusiastic about the development of Uganda’s oil and energy industries and is convinced that they have the power to bring about socioeconomic change.
In this regard, he played a key role in the adoption of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Act, 2021, which made it easier for the EACOP project to be implemented in Uganda.
Moreover, he is currently directing the amendment of the Electricity Act, which will reform and enhance the country’s electricity industry.
Controversies
The Minister has played a key role in defending the building of Uganda’s first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2,000 MW by 2032 as earlier planned in 2017 by the Country’s authorities.
This happened in a plenary sitting in August 2022 where MP Fredrick Angura of Tororo South County presented in a committee report that the Government should adopt Sustainable renewable energy in Uganda by investing in cheaper and cleaner energies.
Opolot was quick to point out that although thermal power is very expensive and has a negative impact on the environment due to gas emissions, it is still a vital source of energy for the nation.
