Uganda gets sh40b for rural electrification
This initiative aims to accelerate Uganda’s efforts to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to rural and peri-urban communities.
Okaasai Opolot (right), the Energy State Minister interacts with Xavier Sticker (centre), the French Ambassador to Uganda and Martin Ssejemba, the Mpigi district chairman (left) prior to the grant signing ceremony on Tuesday. (Courtesy)
By Benon Ojiambo
Journalists @New Vision
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Uganda has received a Є10m (about sh40b) grant to enhance access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas.
The grant from the European Union (EU), and the French Development Agency (AFD) will be implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
The EU, AFD and the Ministry are expected to sign the grant documentation at Mpigi district headquarters on Tuesday.
As the lead financier, AFD is responsible for managing the funds allocated by the EU, and ensuring their effective deployment through the ministry, which will implement the project via its Rural Electrification Department (RuED).
This initiative aims to accelerate Uganda’s efforts to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to rural and peri-urban communities.
Access to electricity through the national grid is one of the challenges that Ugandans are currently grappling with as access to electricity currently stands at 60% with only 22% connected to the national grid.
Officials say this low access has impeded economic development, limited access to essential services and exacerbated social inequalities.
“This new Last Mile Electrification Project is designed to support bridging this gap by expanding the country’s electricity distribution network and ensuring last-mile connections for thousands of households, businesses and public institutions,” an official statement partly read.
The project is targeting to make up to 40,000 new connections in rural and peri-urban communities.
“This planned project, once realised, will further bridge the electricity access gap, enhance economic opportunities, and improve the living standards of our people,” Eng. Abdon Atwiine, the commissioner for rural electrification at the energy ministry, said on Tuesday.
“We will ensure that our communities are well sensitised and prepared to take advantage of this project. We are excited for the positive results that this project will bring,” Martin Ssejemba, the Mpigi district chairman, said.