New tariffs necessary

THERE HAS been an outcry over the announcement by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company that it is effectively doubling electricity tariffs. However we should accept that this is in the best interest of all Ugandans. We need Uganda's electricity network to be expanded to cover the whole country and this is only possible if subsidies are eliminated and consumers pay a realistic price for power. There has been no price increase since 1993 and the large adjustment was necessary to bring electricity tariffs into line with inflation and the exchange rate of the US dollar. A number of dubious arguments are now being made against the tariff increase. Some people allege that electricity is now more expensive than in Kenya and Tanzania. Wrong! It is still cheaper here. Moreover electricity for cooking is still cheaper than charcoal so long as you have a cooker with adjustable rings. Others claim that the increase will lead to deforestation. The reverse is true. If we do not increase access to electricity, more trees will be turned into charcoal. If this price increase results in an expansion of the electricity network, then trees will be saved, not lost. The way forward is not to grumble about the hike but to accept its necessity and find other ways to offset the impact. An amazing amount can be saved if a household switches off unnecessary lights at night and covers cooking pots with lids. Every family with domestic electricity should introduce such simple economy measures. So let's behave sensibly at home and reduce our monthly electricity bills. Then we can have the best of both worlds - continued development and affordable electricity bills. ends