Deputy Speaker Mr. Thomas Tayebwa has praised a multi-billion-dollar government initiative set to connect over 1.3 million rural households to the national power grid. The Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP), a $638 million project co-funded with the World Bank, aims to significantly increase energy access for households, commercial enterprises, and public institutions.
The launch of the project in Mitooma District on Friday was marked by Mr. Tayebwa, who also serves as the area MP, describing it as a “pivotal initiative” with the potential to transform lives in rural communities. He highlighted the importance of the EASP in aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040, NDP II and III, and SDG 7, targeting universal energy access by 2030.
“As the deputy speaker of the parliament of Uganda and the area Member of Parliament, I stand here not just as a representative of the people but as a believer in progress and development,” Mr. Tayebwa emphasized.
The collaboration between the World Bank and the government of Uganda, facilitated through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, demonstrates the power of partnerships in fostering sustainable development, according to Mr. Tayebwa. He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its financial support, acknowledging it as a testament to their shared vision for a more prosperous future.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, assured that by 2030, all Ugandans would have full access to electricity as a result of the EASP. The project, structured around grid expansion, financial intermediation, and refugee host community support, signifies the government’s commitment to comprehensive development.
Ms. Nankabirwa stated during the launch that the connections would benefit 4.5 million people, including 300,000 female-headed households, aligning with the Electricity Connections Policy 2018 and Energy Policy 2023. She applauded the World Bank for its generous support, deeming their partnership instrumental in realizing the goals of the project and enhancing Uganda’s energy infrastructure.
Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, highlighted that the project allocated financing for energy access in refugee host communities, extending electricity access to settlements and host district communities through grid networks or stand-alone solar technologies.
Local lawmakers, including Ms. Juliet Agatha, the Mitooma District Woman MP, and Francis Mwijukye, Buhweju County Member of Parliament, expressed gratitude for the project’s potential impact on development and urged the Energy Ministry to extend power to all areas.
The Electricity Access Scale-up The project is set to be implemented over five years, supporting the government’s efforts to increase access to electricity for households, refugee and host communities, industrial parks, commercial enterprises, and public institutions. The initiative represents a crucial step towards achieving Uganda’s goal of universal energy access by 2030, contributing to social and economic development by fostering local economic growth and creating employment opportunities.
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“Their partnership is instrumental in realizing the goals of this project and enhancing Uganda’s energy infrastructure,” she said.
Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, said that the project allocates financing for energy access in refugee host communities, extending electricity access to settlements and host district communities through grid networks or stand-alone solar technologies.
Mitooma District Woman MP, Ms. Juliet Agatha, thanked the President for steering the country in the right direction and praised the new power project in the district. She complained that most of the subcounties don’t have access to electricity and asked the Energy Ministry to extend power to all areas so that people can use it to improve their household incomes.
