By Godfrey Muhumuza
The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Ruth Nankabirwa, has announced that the government has finalized plans to reconnect hydroelectric power to all rural communities across Uganda.
She made this statement in response to complaints from residents of Buwenge Sub-County, Jinja District, who accused the energy ministry of delays in providing electricity despite the installation of transmission poles over a year ago.
Ritah Namuluuta shared her experience, explaining that she took out a loan of 1.5 million Shillings to start a salon but, due to the lack of electricity, has had to focus only on hair braiding, which yields minimal profits
Jinja District Woman MP, Loy Katali, echoed these concerns, highlighting that the absence of power is impeding value addition efforts. Farmers, she said, have to travel over 10 kilometers to mill maize, grind groundnuts, and process coffee beans. Katali noted that 113 villages in Jinja District still lack electricity, which is stalling micro-industrial projects designed to empower youth and women economically.
In response, Nankabirwa announced that the government has completed plans to roll out the World Bank-sponsored Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, aimed at lighting up all villages across Uganda.
The project will prioritize free electricity connections for homes near already installed transmission poles to expedite implementation.
Nankabirwa emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive power coverage in all government health facilities, local government units, and parishes to support value addition processes.
