Uganda MPs demand answers over poor electricity distribution

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MPs have queried the government over the lack of power connections to the national grid in several districts.

The districts cited without power connection to the national grid or have unreliable power supply include Obongi, Karenga, Kumi, Bufuma, Dokolo, Gulu and Kabale.

MPs argued that unreliable power supply in some districts connected to the national grid could cost some of them votes. Many female MPs reported worrying concerns about businesses being affected by load shedding, health centres and schools lacking electricity supply.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who chaired the House, asked several female MPs to voice their experiences of electricity supply in their districts.

Ruth Nankabirwa, the energy minister, on Wednesday, August 14, presented a statement to Parliament to explain the status of electricity access and increasing access.

She said on October 31, 2017, the energy ministry entered into a commercial contract with TBEA Company Limited as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor at a contract price of $213m (sh793b) to connect 210 sub-county headquarters and town councils to the national grid. M&E Associates, a Ugandan company, was contracted to supervise the project.

‘Left out of rural electrification’

Winfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa County East, Independent) said Kabale district was left out of the rural electrification programme, leaving the people in darkness.

He noted that some poles were put up in the district many years ago, but power lines were not connected.

Christine Nakimwero (Kiboga, NUP) queried the indicators that prove that electricity had increased, insisting that there is no evidence to show that power connection has increased.

Aisha Kabanda from Butambala, NUP, mentioned that in Butambala many electric poles were standing without any power lines. She added that people in her constituency were being requested to raise funds to get connected.

Sarah Aguti (Dokolo, UPC) said some parts of her constituency and Dokolo district in general were connected to the national grid, but the electricity was unrealisable.