Cross section of community members attending the launch on Wednesday in Kitimba Residents of Kitimba and Mpanga in Butambala were in a joyous mood as electricity distributor Umeme switched on lines co-funded by the Government of Uganda and KFW this week.
They say their future is brighter owing to the benefits of electricity with their eyes focused on commercial activity.
Mathew Kakooza, a resident of Kitimba couldn’t hide his excitement at the new prospects of electricity in his village. “Our people are now able to engage in commercial activities to boost their income due to opportunities such as milling machines, pop corns and welding amongst others. Our children are now able to revise and read their books in the night and the schools will also be able to study evening lessons comfortably,” he said. Mathew Kakooza, a resident of Kitimba, thanking Umeme for electricity connections in his community. Speaking during an engagement with the community in Mpanga on Wednesday, Umeme’s Projects Investment Manager Eng. Samuel Magezi said electricity connectivity projects in Mpanga and Kitimba were co-financed by GOU through Umeme at the total budget of Shs 680m.
“We have so far connected 60% of the 1450 targeted households in the communities of Mpanga and Butambala. This he says is in line with government’s plans to achieve 60% electricity connectivity by 2040,” he said. Umeme’s Projects Investment Manager Eng. Samuel Magezi Area Member of Parliament for Butambala District Aisha Kabanda, while speaking during the engagement with the communities, urged the locals to use the electricity to transform their lives.
“I would like to caution the residents against illegal connections and protect the investment that the government has brought to them,” She said, adding that the community will now be able to add value to their produce and also go into mass production commercial ventures to support them. Hon Aisha Kabanda speaks during the engagement in Butambala on Wednesday Umeme’s Head of Communications Peter Kaujju said Government contributed 7 million euros but also through the Rural Electrification Board of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development received financing to the tune of 7 million Euros from the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW towards the cost of grid densification program in Uganda.
“The funding was meant to enhance grid densification through power extensions. Grid densification is the enhancement of the medium and low voltage networks to enable connection of more customers. This involves short medium voltage […]