By Ouni Jaspher
KAMPALA – As debate on the statement on rural electrification in Uganda resumed during the 18th Sitting of the 1st Meeting of the 1st Session of the 15th Parliament on Tuesday, 18th August, Members of Parliament raised crosscutting challenges including low power penetration, incomplete projects, low voltage, power outages, and vandalism affecting electricity distribution across the country.
The House, led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, first observed a moment of silence in honor of Alex Mukulu, a veteran playwright and actor.
Tayebwa said Mukulu played a critical role in the development of the creative industry in the country.
During the debate, Hon. Vincent Opito, MP for Dokolo South County, asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to explain government plans for power connectivity in his constituency.
Opito specifically requested State Minister for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Okaasai, to outline plans to connect Dokolo Town Council, Kangai Town Council, Adeknino Sub County and all areas in Dokolo South.
Hon. Kenny Auma, Woman MP for Kwania, implored the House to utilize the budgeting cycle to allocate a substantive amount of money to connect electricity across the country.
Hon. Benjamin Cadet, MP for Bunyaruguru County, said over 11,000 households in Bunyaruguru have no access to the electricity grid.
Hon. Tete Chelangat, Woman MP for Bukwo District, said her area recently lost a baby whose mother was operated on using a phone light because there was no electricity or generator in the hospital.
Hon. Jamal Mukuve Ayagalachi, MP for Bukooli North, decried the rampant power blackouts in Bugiri District, saying power lasts for only 30 minutes and stays off for weeks, yet most livelihoods there depend on electricity.
Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima, MP for Wakiso, appealed to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to revisit areas where electric poles were erected but never connected, calling them “political poles.”
Hon. Moses Musanje, MP for Njeru Municipality, said between February 2025 and March 2026, government sold electricity to Kenya, Rwanda, Congo and Sudan to a tune of US$72 million.
“Why don’t you use that money for rural electrification, because the entire country is crying; 33 million people do not have power,” Musanje said.
Hon. Eddie Kwizera, MP for Bukimbiri, blamed the electricity challenges on non-compliance with the Electricity Act, specifically Section 63 which requires the Minister to prepare a sustainable and coordinated rural electricity plan to be presented to Parliament.
State Minister for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Okaasai, acknowledged that electricity is an enabler for development and remains one of government’s top priorities.
Okaasai said it is in government’s plans to have the whole country connected to electricity by 2030.
“Those connected to the grid currently stand at 24.4% and off-grid at 38%, bringing the total connectivity to 62.4%,” he said.
The House was adjourned until 2:00pm on Wednesday.
