By Sophan Niwamanya
apearlnews.com
The residents of Kabale district were left with joy and happiness following the commissioning of the Rural Electrification Project in their area.
The power line was officially commissioned by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, accompanied by the State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, David Bahati, and Kabale district woman member of Parliament, Hon. Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, among other officials.
The project, which has been funded by the government of Uganda, is being implemented by Giza Cable Industries. In Kabale, the Project covers the areas of Ryakarimira, Kitumba, Kamuganguzi, Butanda, and Kahugye sub counties.
This comes at a time when the government has reduced the no-pole connection cost from UGX 720,883 to UGX 470,000. According to Hon. Nankabirwa, applicants for electricity connections are required to make a down payment of UGX 200,000 and access a credit of UGX 270,000 from the Uganda Development Bank, which is to be paid within a period of 8 years at a zero interest rate.
The minister urged the residents to take advantage of this opportunity to get connected to electricity and use it for socio-economic development in the community—for jobs, wealth creation, improving standards of living, and health service delivery, amongst other benefits.
She encouraged people to wire their houses using certified electricians who provide a wiring certificate upon completion and thereafter submit applications for connection at the area office of the respective electricity distribution company.
Minister Bahati, who doubles as the area Member of Parliament (Ndorwa West), noted that the extension of electricity should focus on major areas that are churches, hospitals, schools, and trading centers. He said that the Government of Uganda is committed to extending electricity to every village in Uganda.
Nankabirwa asked the residents to make use of the electricity connection to further embrace government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model by taking up commercial activities.
Bahati tasked the community to remain vigilant in the fight against vandalism of the electricity infrastructure.
Barnet Champion, the Butanda sub-county chairperson, felt overjoyed about the electricity extension in the area, which he said will boost income generation.
