Members of Parliament have asked government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to prioritize rural electrification.
They recommended an allocation of 250 billion Shillings under the Rural Electrification Project to undertake new projects in the next financial year 2022/2023.
This was during a debate on a report by House Committee on Natural Resources regarding proposed budgetary allocations to different activities in the sector.
In the report tabled on Wednesday by Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, the West Budama South MP, the committee noted financial shortfall under the Rural Electrification Program.
“The Committee was informed that although rural electrification is intended to increase electricity access across the entire country, budget allocations for rural electrification projects remain low. Rural Electrification requires 869.6 billion Shillings of which 280.3 billion has been provided in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework -MTEF under rural electrification projects, leaving a funding gap of 617.4 billion,” reads part of the committee report.
Otaala said that for next financial year 2022/2023, his committee was informed that rural electrification has a funding shortfall of 250 billion Shillings to address electrification of all sub counties, payment of outstanding obligations due to budget cuts, electrification of non-connected sub counties, key rural growth centres and expansion of rural network to upcoming rural growth centres.
He recommended that the funding for rural electrification be provided in a staggered manner over the next three years and that government provides additional 250 billion in the financial year 2022/2023 under Rural Electrification Project to undertake new projects in various constituencies throughout the country.
Fox Odoi, the West Budama North MP wondered why government does not prioritise rural electrification so that the ordinary people are helped and in the long run modernize the country.
He proposed that government stands its ground during the current budgeting process and votes funds towards rural electrification.
Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament noted that there is a problem regarding rural electrification saying that even after applying for connectivity, several Ugandans remain without electricity in different areas.
Silas Aogon, the Kumi Municipality MP also reported that electricity poles were planted in his constituency in 2017 but no connection has been made to date.
Santa Alum, the Oyam Woman MP added that the country is losing a lot of money in buying and plants electricity poles that are left without any connections for several years. She said that it was time for these poles in different areas to be connected.
Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development said that her ministry is expected to conclude programs in different areas especially where electricity poles were planted and no connectivity made.
She said that this is usually done due to pressure from political leaders especially towards the election period.
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