By Ijjo David,
BUDUDA:
Leaders in disaster prone district of Bududa have expressed displeasure against government over poor electricity coverage in the district.
The leaders made remarks on Thursday during a meeting with all four area legislators, district leaders, sub-county leaders and officials from the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
During the meeting, Bududa district leadership presented a memorundum of understanding (MoU) to the state minister for Energy requesting power connections in sub-counties that make up the district.
Despite extention of electricity in the district seven years ago, over 13 sub-counties, government aided schools, Health Centres, towns and some sub-county headquarters are still not connected to electricity.
This has puzzled the district leadership who say the delays are a hinderance to both investment and development.
According to the Bududa district LC5 Chairman, Milton Kamoti Wasunguyi, sub counties like Bushika, Bukalasi, Bumayoko, Bushiriboamong others lack electricity, while 12 sub county headquarters like Bududa, Ngako, Bukibokolo, Bulucheke, Bubiita, Nabweya, Bushigayi, Bukigai among others have electricity but only require intensification and connecctions.
He further asked for the power connection to health centres of Bubungi HCIII, Bumusi HCIII, Bukalasi and Bufuma health centres which have no access to hydro electricity power.
Wanguyi told the minister that out of about 89 government aided primary schools in the district, only four are connected to electricity grid thus affecting academic excellence and development in the area.
Bushigayi county MP David Wandendeya Wakikona, disclosed that there is no ongoing power extensions and connections in the district as alleged by rural electrification programme. He asked the minister to expediate the connection exercises to eneble smooth running of businesses.
“Many people are now using computers, studying on zoom, and all these need power but as we traversed in the district, we were able to findout that most parts totally lack access to hydro electric power. I am very surprised to hear the fake report of ongoing rural eletrification programme,” Wandendeya said.
He disclosed that some sub counties received desktop computers from the government but are still keeping them because they require electricity to use them.
“Government gave computers to some sub counties but they are not using them beuse of no power, health centres are not functioning well due to lack of power in facilities so we want government to stop making empty promises and extend electricity to our people,” he added.
Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, the Manjiya county MP said access to electricity will help in improving production and industrialization in the area.
“Bududa is coupled with the need for growth of the cottage industry and value addition whose engine is availability of power supply,” he said.
Minister Sidronius Okaasai Opolot, the minister of state for Energy hailed the Bududa district MPs particularly the opposition MPs for fostering and implementing government programmes in the area.
“It is my first timee seeing opposition MPs working closely with the NRM for the development of their area,” he said.
He noted that government will extend power in the district and install solar panels in the hard to reach areas.
