Uganda Government gets Sh40b grant to connect rural areas to electricity

KAMPALA – Uganda has received a Є10m (about Sh40b) grant to enhance access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas.

The grant from the European Union (EU), and the French Development Agency (AFD) will be implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

Eng. Abdon Atwiine, the commissioner for rural electrification at the energy ministry, said, “This planned project, once realised, will further bridge the electricity access gap, enhance economic opportunities, and improve the living standards of our people.”

“We will ensure that our communities are well sensitised and prepared to take advantage of this project. We are excited for the positive results that this project will bring,” Atwiine added.

Martin Ssejemba, the Mpigi district chairman, said, “We will ensure that our communities are well-prepared to take advantage of this project. We’re excited for the positive results it will bring.”

The project aims to accelerate Uganda’s efforts to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to rural and peri-urban communities. Access to electricity through the national grid is one of the challenges that Ugandans are currently grappling with as access to electricity currently stands at 60% with only 22% connected to the national grid.

Officials say this low access has impeded economic development, limited access to essential services and exacerbated social inequalities.

The project is targeting to make up to 40,000 new connections in rural and peri-urban communities.