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Uganda government asked to list rural electricity project beneficiaries
“I would also like to see which particular districts and how many people have been connected and the number of kilometers of grid extension has been done in those respective districts. Because in Rukungiri district, which I represent, there is hardly anything on the ground, Honourable Minister. Let's have the report on a project which Ugandans are eagerly waiting for service delivery,” Turyahikayo demanded.
The State Minister for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Phiona Nyamutoro led her team before Parliament. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
By: Dedan Kimathi, Journalist @New Vision
Government has been given two days to submit a detailed breakdown of beneficiaries of the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP)
Following a directive, the National Economy Committee chairperson, Jane Avur Pachuto (Pakwach District, NRM), issued on Tuesday, November 3, during an interaction between members of parliament (MPs) and a team led by the State Minister for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Phiona Nyamutoro.
“Of the 290,000 connections, we want to know, by region, by district and the next interventions that the ministry is going to do given that this project ends next year,” Pachuto ruled.
MPs raise concern
The order followed concerns lawmakers, including Mary Paula Turyahikayo (Rukungiri District Woman MP, NRM) and Cohen Amanya (Igara West, NRM) raised in relation to the project’s implementation.
“I would also like to see which particular districts and how many people have been connected and the number of kilometers of grid extension has been done in those respective districts. Because in Rukungiri district, which I represent, there is hardly anything on the ground, Honourable Minister. Let's have the report on a project which Ugandans are eagerly waiting for service delivery,” Turyahikayo demanded.
Relatedly, Amanya quipped, “In my constituency, I have never seen anyone connecting, including the contractors. We don’t know where they have been connecting with the disbursement and absorption is $190 million and $119 million; we would be eager to know where this money was spent,” said Amanya.
Arguing that this information would amicably settle discrepancies in figures presented by the finance and energy ministries.
The order followed concerns lawmakers, including Mary Paula Turyahikayo (Rukungiri District Woman MP, NRM) and Cohen Amanya (Igara West, NRM) raised in relation to the project’s implementation.
“I would also like to see which particular districts and how many people have been connected and the number of kilometers of grid extension has been done in those respective districts. Because in Rukungiri district, which I represent, there is hardly anything on the ground, Honourable Minister. Let's have the report on a project which Ugandans are eagerly waiting for service delivery,” Turyahikayo demanded.
Relatedly, Amanya quipped, “In my constituency, I have never seen anyone connecting, including the contractors. We don’t know where they have been connecting with the disbursement and absorption is $190 million and $119 million; we would be eager to know where this money was spent,” said Amanya.
Arguing that this information would amicably settle discrepancies in figures presented by the finance and energy ministries.
About the project
The project, which took effect in July 2023, is funded by the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), which committed $608 million (Sh2.601 trillion). The Government and the private sector are also expected to contribute $10 million (Sh42.78 billion) and $20 million (Sh85.57 billion), respectively.
Of the total funding, $190 million (Sh813.88 billion) has reportedly been disbursed, while $119 million (Sh509.12 billion) has been utilised.
Key components of the project include expanding the electricity grid and increasing connections
The project had targeted 1,073,500 new connections, but only 290,000 have so far been achieved. Of these, 155,000 were made before UMEME exited the electricity distribution business.