Residents of
17 villages in three wards of Kiziba, Kishenyi, and Rubaare in Kagango Divison
Sheema Municipality have expressed their excitement about receiving electricity
after 15 years since electric poles were erected in their area.
The now
connected and switched-on lines are part of the 18 billion shillings project
that is being funded by the Government of Uganda.
The 267 KWs
Project with 94 Transformers commenced in 2019 and covers 145 Kilometers and is
being undertaken in 19 districts of Buhweju, Ntungamo, Kabale, Sheema, Mbarara
Rubirizi, Rwampara, Isingiro and Bushenyi.
In Sheema
Municipality the first phase of the Project covers the villages of Bunyagongo, Kagororgoro,
Rwenkarabo, Rwentaka, Katete, Mukombesa, Kyagaju, Kyeruma, Nyakachemba,
Bubaare, Nyabirerema, Nyabuhama, Kagango, Kishenyi, Rweshama, Nyabishera and
Ryenzoki.
They say
their future is brighter owing to the benefits of electricity with their eyes
focused on commercial activities.
Stephen
Katwiireomunda a resident of Rwenkarabo Village couldn’t hide his excitement at
the new prospects of electricity in his village says the amenities that come
with power will gear the socio-economic development of the area.
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He says many
small-scale industries had failed to take off because of lack of power, noting that
now factories are going to boom and these will come along with employment and
market for their produce.
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Residents
say the poles were sometimes stolen as others were rotting away and yet others got relocated to other
places.
Hon Dickson
Kateshumbwa the Sheema Municipality Member of Parliament tasked the Security
Committee and the Chairpersons LC I to raise the vigilance on fighting vandalism that has started in the area.
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Hon
Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Woman Member of Parliament Sheema and also the
Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs asked the
Ministry of Energy to quickly develop a technology that will save the
overstretched forces from patroling the electricity lines so they are not to be vandalized.
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Speaking on Friday during the switching on, Energy Minister Ruth Nakabirwa said that the government has reduced the connection fees
down from 730,000 shillings to 200,000 shillings with the rest being paid by
the Government to help people especially in the rural areas easily access
electricity.
She says the
opportunity is for those with electricity poles close to their homes.
