Tayebwa orders probe into electricity tariffs amidst growing discontent
These issues came to the forefront following a detailed address by the Minister of Energy, and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu who reported on the growth of electricity access in Uganda
KAMPALA, August 15, 2024 – Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has directed the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to undertake a thorough investigation into Uganda’s electricity tariffs, following concerns raised by the legislators during the plenary session yesterday.
The directive was prompted after the Members of Parliament in the House highlighted disparities in electricity access and pricing.
These issues came to the forefront following a detailed address by the Minister of Energy, and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu who reported on the growth of electricity access in Uganda, despite the numerous challenges plaguing the sector.
Minister Nankabirwa told the legislators that Uganda’s electricity access has reached 60 percent, with 22 percent of households connected to the national grid and 38 percent relying on off-grid solutions.
While this marks significant progress, the Minister also highlighted persistent challenges that continue to impede the country’s efforts to expand electricity access.
“We have made notable strides, with 60 percent of our population now having access to electricity,” stated Nankabirwa. “However, we are still facing substantial obstacles, including inadequate counterpart financing by the government and the widespread vandalism of power infrastructure, which hinder our ability to improve power supply across the nation.”
The Minister’s statement to the House focused on the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project [EASP], a five-year initiative aimed at bolstering Uganda’s electricity infrastructure to support over 1,360,000 households, refugees, and host communities to get connected to electricity under the Electricity Connection Policy.
“The EASP is not merely about expanding the grid,” Nankabirwa explained. “It is about ensuring that even the most vulnerable communities, including those hosting refugees, have access to reliable energy.”
The Minister also lauded the achievements of the Accelerated Rural Electrification Programme, which has successfully electrified 210 sub-county headquarters and town councils, contributing an additional 3,202.46 kilometres of medium voltage and 6,827.82km of low voltage lines to the national grid.
This programme has been significantly supported by a credit facility from EXIM Bank of China, which the Ugandan government secured to accelerate electrification efforts in underserved regions.
“All district headquarters have been electrified, with the exceptions of Obongi, which is a newly created district, Kalenga, which recently relocated its headquarters, and Buvuma, an island district with unique challenges,” the Minister noted.
However, dissatisfaction was expressed by some MPs regarding the current state of electricity services.
The Buzaaya County MP, Martin Muzaale raised concerns about the installation and usage of new Yaka meters, pointing out issues such as network glitches, high installation costs, excessive service charges, and increased power consumption compared to older meters.
“The challenges associated with the new Yaka meters require urgent attention to ensure fair and efficient service delivery to all customers,” he asserted.
Responding to these concerns, Nankabirwa assured Parliament that all complaints would be forwarded to Umeme, Uganda’s primary electricity distribution company, for redress. Umeme’s 20-year concession of distributing electricity in the country ends on March 31, 2025.
“We are committed to ensuring that every Ugandan receives reliable and affordable electricity,” she reaffirmed.
The session also brought to light significant disparities in electricity access across different regions, particularly in refugee-hosting areas.
Maneno Zumura, Woman MP, Obongi district, expressed frustration over the absence of electricity infrastructure in her district, which hosts a substantial population of refugees.
“The population of refugees in Obongi is larger than that of the host community, yet when it comes to electricity connectivity, Obongi District is left out,” she lamented, calling for immediate intervention.
The Shadow Minister of Energy, Evans Kanyike, also criticised the limitations of the EASP, noting that it only caters to customers who require no more than one electricity pole for connection, thereby excluding many potential beneficiaries.
“The Electricity Access Scale-Up Project is unable to expand coverage beyond existing lines, leaving many areas underserved,” he argued.
Despite these challenges, Nankabirwa reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
“Our ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, will continue to develop new projects and mobilise the necessary finances to propel Uganda towards universal access, using both on-grid and off-grid solutions,” she said.
Sarah Aguti, Dokolo district Woman MP who highlighted the unreliable electricity supply in Northern Uganda. “In some places, there is power during the day and none at night,” she observed.
Additionally, Helen Nakimuli, Kalangala district Woman MP raised issues about high electricity tariffs. “When we [the people of Kalangala] got connected to the main grid, we expected the tariffs to lower, but as we speak, a unit costs Shs 1,265.5, which is very high for my people,” she noted.
As Uganda continues to grapple with the complexities of expanding electricity access, yesterday’s plenary session underscored the need for sustained investment, improved infrastructure, and inclusive policies to ensure that all Ugandans can benefit from the nation’s growing energy resources.
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