Ruth Nakabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and area MPs switch on Power in Kiziba Ward Sheema Municipality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
-URN
