Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of parliament, has mobilized support for a new government initiative that intends to link more than 1.3 million rural households to the country’s electrical grid.
With increased access to energy for homes, businesses, and government institutions, the multibillion-dollar Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP) is projected to improve living in rural communities.
Speaking at the project’s opening in Mitooma District on Friday, Tayebwa—who is also the local MP—praised the EASP as a crucial program with enormous potential for rural development.
He stressed how good it will be for raising the standard of living for the people living there.
Tayebwa, a strong advocate of advancement and development, emphasized the importance of the EASP in changing lives and being in line with Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which is to attain universal energy access by 2030, as well as National Development Plans (NDP) II and III.
The project, which receives co-funding from the World Bank totaling $638 million, aims to expand both on-grid and off-grid connections to enhance energy access nationwide.
Tayebwa praised the collaboration between the World Bank, the Ugandan government via the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and their joint efforts to promote sustainable development.
He conveyed his appreciation to the World Bank for their financial assistance, indicating their mutual goal of a better future.
Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, gave the public the assurance that the EASP will guarantee universal access to energy for all Ugandans by 2030.
She stressed the project’s complete nature, noting that it involves financial intermediation, grid development, and support for host communities of refugees.
She emphasized the government’s dedication to inclusive growth, emphasizing how it will support female-headed households and be consistent with the Energy Policy 2023 and the Electricity Connections Policy 2018.
The project aims to finance energy access in refugee host communities and extend electricity access to settlements and host district communities through grid networks or stand-alone solar technologies, according to Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Local Members of Parliament also expressed their backing for the project. Mitooma District Woman MP Juliet Agatha commended the President for guiding the nation in the right direction and expressed appreciation for the new electricity project in the district.
She called on the Energy Ministry to ensure electricity reaches all areas to boost household incomes.
Francis Mwijukye, a member of parliament for Buhweju County, praised the project for being a huge boost to growth and emphasized how it will increase the value of land.
On behalf of the Buhweju community, he declared that they were ready to accept the Electricity Access Scale-up Project.
The Electricity Access Scale-up Project, scheduled for implementation over five years, represents a crucial milestone in Uganda’s efforts to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
The Electricity Access Scale-up Project, scheduled for implementation over five years, represents a crucial milestone in Uganda’s efforts to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
By delivering electricity to millions of households, the initiative promises to not only improve quality of life but also drive socio-economic progress across the country.
Having more access to energy will boost local economic development, open up job opportunities, and encourage business expansion.
The initiative intends to enhance access to off-grid energy in host communities and refugee camps, develop and fortify the electrical distribution network, and advance clean cooking services.
The EASP builds on previous government initiatives in the energy sector, continuing to propel Uganda’s advancements in this field.