Monday, July 14, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
ADVERTISEMENT

MPs: Investment in energy far from rural transformation

by Ronald Mayega | Reporter
20/02/2023
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Energy) Hon. Sidronius Opolot Okaasai (left), with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Pauline Irene Batebe, appearing before the Committee of National Economy on Wednesday 15 February 2023
Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Energy) Hon. Sidronius Opolot Okaasai (left), with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Pauline Irene Batebe, appearing before the Committee of National Economy on Wednesday 15 February 2023

Uganda’s government’s heavy investment in the energy sector is not benefiting the intended end users, Members of Parliament have observed.

While scrutinizing 14 loans issued to the sector, MPs on the Committee on National Economy complained of low coverage and quality of power distributed to rural areas, saying it defeats the purpose of rural transformation.

Related posts

William W. Popp – new US Ambassador to Uganda

US Restricts Visa Validity for Ugandans to Three Months

14/07/2025
157

Church of Uganda Flags off Mock Exams to Boost Learner Competence and Curriculum Familiarization

14/07/2025
154

Mayor Sserunjogi leads the battle to save Noah Mutwe

14/07/2025
161

Be God-Conscious, Mufti Tells Politicians

14/07/2025
156

“You know my people produce a lot of milk; when one switches on a milk cooler the lights go off; the next user cannot have his on at the same time, people have resorted to generators,” said Wilson Kajwengye (NRM, Nyabushozi) during the Committee meeting Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.

The loans include an US$80 million from the Islamic Development Bank for the Opuyo – Moroto Electricity Transmission Project; and a Euro15 million loan from the KfW Development Bank for the Kampala-Entebbe Expansion project.

Kajwengye said he had witnessed health workers using torches for lighting in health centers, connected to the low-voltage networks, wondering whether such loans should still be accepted.

Legislators noted that a number of projects close to completion were far from achieving the set objectives, citing the ‘bridging demand gap through the accelerated rural electrification program’ (TBEA) of 2017.

The project is financed by a US $212 million loan from Exim Bank to connect 287 sub-counties with electricity. MPs however said many sub-counties were not yet connected.

Hon. Henry Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula South) complained of the costs of connection that end users are required to meet, saying they are too high for local people who are the target of the rural electrification programme.

“They are asking people for Shs700,000 up to Shs1.2 million; where will my poor people in Bugabula get such money yet they need power?” asked Kibalya.

Hon. Moses Kabuusu (FDC, Kyamuswa) said the quality and the scope of energy will frustrate other government interventions, singling out the new schools’ curriculum.

“How will schools cope with the new curriculum, it is a computerized one that requires electricity. Schools will need the power to run the science laboratories,” Kabuusu said.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Irene Batebe, said the projects were significantly challenged by the COVID-19 lockdown that made it difficult to import construction materials.

“I know COVID sounds like an excuse but it was a major challenge. Most of the materials were imported from China which was under lockdown,” said Batebe.

She further cited vandalism and opposition from communities who refuse to be resettled, yet it is a requirement by donors before projects’ commencement.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: Africa Energy ChamberFeaturedKampala-Entebbe Expansion projectKfW Development BankMoroto Electricity Transmission ProjectNational Unity PlatformNyabushozi)UgandaWilson Kajwengye (NRM

Related Posts

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians
News

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians

05/11/2022
0
310

Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians RAMALLAH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas...

Read moreDetails
Equity ranked 4th strongest banking brand globally on brand strength, scoring 92.4 points out of 100

 Equity Bank Under Scrutiny for Alleged Role in UGX.3bn Fake Gold Scam

09/07/2024
632
Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwiine pay their respects at the burial of Dr. Joshua Musinguzi, a champion in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Their presence honors his legacy and dedication to improving healthcare in Uganda.

 FULL LIST: Health Service Commission Shortlists Applicants for Key Roles

18/06/2025
1.5k
Kabuleta and other opposition politicians have teamed up to put an end to Museveni's leadership

 Kabuleta, other opposition politicians team up to put an end to Museveni’s leadership

27/02/2024
507
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4380 shares
    Share 1752 Tweet 1095
  • How to Renew Your National ID Online: NIRA Pre-Registration Portal 2025 Guide

    4090 shares
    Share 1636 Tweet 1023
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2668 shares
    Share 1067 Tweet 667
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3324 shares
    Share 1349 Tweet 823
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1785 shares
    Share 714 Tweet 446
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1652 shares
    Share 661 Tweet 413
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2796 shares
    Share 1150 Tweet 686

Recent Articles

William W. Popp – new US Ambassador to Uganda

US Restricts Visa Validity for Ugandans to Three Months

14/07/2025

Church of Uganda Flags off Mock Exams to Boost Learner Competence and Curriculum Familiarization

14/07/2025
Women entrepreneurs pose for a photo during the WiBAS training held at Muni University, Arua District. The workshop was conducted under the theme “Handholding Women for Business Sustainability.”

719 Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Uganda Skilled by PostBank and WiBAS on Sustainable Business Growth

14/07/2025

Museveni concludes Wakiso wealth creation tour with call to embrace commercial agriculture and vigilance in PDM implementation

14/07/2025

Mayor Sserunjogi leads the battle to save Noah Mutwe

14/07/2025

Be God-Conscious, Mufti Tells Politicians

14/07/2025
SuperSport on DStv and GOtv announces comprehensive coverage for the 2025/26 football season, featuring exclusive access to Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.

MultiChoice Uganda announces thrilling return of the New Football season

14/07/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • The Journey of Ibrahim Traoré on How President Ibrahim Traoré’s ambitious vision is driving Burkina Faso’s economic growth push
  • Ugandan Scientists Finalists For European Inventors Prize — Press Uganda on Ugandan scientists finalists for European inventors prize
  • Government Pumps UGX1 Trillion Into UDB To Drive Industrialization, SME Growth — Press Uganda on Government pumps UGX1 Trillion into UDB to drive Industrialization, SME growth
  • PS Ggoobi Tips On Building USD 500b Economy — Press Uganda on PS Ggoobi tips on building USD 500b economy
  • Museveni Meets German Envoy Matthias Schauer After Subversion Claims — Press Uganda on Museveni meets German envoy Matthias Schauer after subversion claims

UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • US Restricts Visa Validity for Ugandans to Three Months
  • Church of Uganda Flags off Mock Exams to Boost Learner Competence and Curriculum Familiarization
  • 719 Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Uganda Skilled by PostBank and WiBAS on Sustainable Business Growth
  • Museveni concludes Wakiso wealth creation tour with call to embrace commercial agriculture and vigilance in PDM implementation
  • Mayor Sserunjogi leads the battle to save Noah Mutwe
  • Be God-Conscious, Mufti Tells Politicians

OpED

Equipping Youth with Skills for a Sustainable Future: A Mission We Must All Embrace

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

HELLEN MASIKA: From Darkness to Solar Light in Kijumba 

Why de-register a Motor Vehicle in Uganda: and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Challenges of taxing law firms in Uganda

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d