POWERLESS: Citizens up in arms with local leaders' silence as West Nile remains in darkness

As we reflect on his legacy, we would like to bring to your attention the fact that we are at cross roads regarding West Nile's connectivity to the National Grid. Citizens have been at the forefront of this Advocacy yet majority of our religious, cultural and opinion leaders remain largely silent,

The Citizens Coalition for Improved Service Delivery, an umbrella group that brings together people of West Nile sub-region have pointed out the continued silence of West Nile’s Religious, Cultural and Opinion leaders in the fight to connect the Region to the National Grid. They said this in a statement issued on February 16th, 2024 as they celebrated the late Archbishop Janani Luwum.

“As we reflect on his legacy, we would like to bring to your attention the fact that we are at cross roads regarding West Nile’s connectivity to the National Grid. Citizens have been at the forefront of this Advocacy yet majority of our religious, cultural and opinion leaders remain largely silent,” reads part of the statement.

The government had set September 30, 2022, as the deadline for connecting the sub-region to the national grid, but it was later postponed to March (2024) due to incomplete works on the transmission lines. The leaders now say that they have been pushing asking for any updates about the same but the agencies charged with the task of delivering power have plunged into blame games.

Last year, News 24/7 documented an investigative film exposing some of the effects of the darkness in West Nile. The citizens indicated to us that many people have lost their lives in hospitals where nurses conduct deliveries on touches.

WATCH STORY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA0DZBX4Mec

Using her official social media platform, Ms Mercy Munduru, a lawyer and human rights activist said that they are looking for people who could help and voice for them the concerns that they have been grappling with over time.

“As the Famous saying goes, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends,” Ms Munduru said.

According to the citizens Coalition for Improved Service Delivery in West Nile, the region has long expressed grievances against government through civil engagement but all in vain.

“Prolonged power outages are hampering every stage of production, livelihoods, health, education, Higher food prices, lack of water, electricity tariff and high fuel costs exacerbate already high inflation for an ordinary citizen,” part of the statement reads.

They also argued on the matter of the continuous extension of connecting the region to the National grid that has been long overdue amidst the power outages. and that they are likely to miss out this year.

” The latest update from the Ministry of Energy is that West Nile is likely to miss the 11th timeline (March 2024). The latest excuse is that Nile Project affected persons (PAPS) that have refused to grant right of way and these, only one in West Nile,” reads part of the statement.