- Uganda Parliament has instructed the Minister for Energy and Minerals Development to explain the fate of electricity transmission lines constructed in the past years.
- It was noted that most of the electricity transmission lines constructed over the years have been vandalized, which Nankabirwa said imposes a financial burden on the ministry.
Uganda Parliament has instructed the Minister for Energy and Minerals Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, to explain the fate of electricity transmission lines constructed in the past years that have not yet been powered. According to MPs, the delayed connectivity has become a contentious matter, with the business community suffering losses.
MPs said health facilities and manufacturers in various constituencies are suffering setbacks due to limited access to electricity accruing from delayed connections, cognisant of several projects commissioned to accelerate electricity access in Uganda.
Their concerns followed Nankabirwa’s statement on the status of electricity connectivity and ongoing related projects in the country in a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Nankabirwa said that, whereas the government obtained over US$212 million from Exim Bank of China to extend power to 287 sub-counties, only 210 sub-counties were connected.
Legislators are concerned that the loan was premised on lowering electricity tariffs, which remain high. “The loan was hoped to bring down electricity tariffs as it would stimulate electricity consumption, I wonder what effect this project has had on tariffs,” Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka (NRM, Kiboga East County) said.
Similar sentiments were expressed for the World Bank loan worth US$628 million obtained to implement a five-year Electricity Access Scale-Up Project (EASP) to connect at least one million users. “The electricity tariffs are higher; they are high for my people in Kalangala district; we do not have power; it is on and off, and the business community has been affected,” said Kalangala District Woman Representative Helen Nakimuli.
It was noted that most of the electricity transmission lines constructed over the years have been vandalised. Nankabirwa said it imposes a financial burden on the ministry and is a major cause of power outages. “The rampant vandalism of project materials, mainly wires, has severely compromised the functionality and reliability of constructed networks, leading to frequent power outages and increased repair costs,” Nankabirwa said.
Hon Christine Apolot (NRM, Kumi District) proposed that an additional budget be considered to connect all areas with un-powered transmission lines, focusing on those constructed by the defunct Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Tayebwa referred Nankabirwa’s statement to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources for further scrutiny. “Most of the questions were repetitive; structure your responses under common questions and generally respond to the country, considering the delayed projects, vandalism and compensation,” Tayebwa said.