Tayebwa launches new government electricity scale-up project

MITOOMA— Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has commended a new government programme that will see 1.3 million rural households directly connected to the national power grid through the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP).

Dubbed the Electricity Access Scale-up Project, Tayebwa said that the project is a pivotal initiative that holds the promise of transforming lives in rural communities, noting that it will increase access to energy for households, commercial enterprises, and public institutions.

“As the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the proud Area Member of Parliament, I stand here not just as a representative of the people but as a believer in progress and development,” he added.

The EASP, supported by World Bank funding of $638m aims to increase energy access for households, enterprises, and institutions through grid and off-grid connections, aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040, NDP II and III, and SDG 7 for universal energy access by 2030.

Tayebwa said the collaboration between the World Bank and the government of Uganda through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, exemplifies the power of partnerships in fostering sustainable development

“As we launch this project, I extend appreciation to the World Bank for the financial support, which is a testament to their belief in our shared vision for a more prosperous future,” said Tayebwa.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa expressed optimism that by 2030, all Ugandans will have access to electricity as a result of EASP.

Nankabirwa explained that the Electricity Access Scale-up Project which is structured around grid expansion, financial intermediation, and refugee host community support, underscores government commitment to comprehensive development.

“The connections will benefit 4.5 million people of which 300,000 are female-headed households, for both household and commercial establishments in line with the Electricity Connections Policy 2018 and Energy Policy 2023,” she said during the launch.

Nankabirwa also joined Tayebwa in praising the World Bank for its generous support.

“Their partnership is instrumental in realizing the goals of this project and enhancing Uganda’s energy infrastructure,” she said.

Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said that the project allocates financing for energy access in refugee host communities, extending electricity access to settlements and host district communities through grid networks or stand-alone solar technologies.

Buhweju County Member of Parliament Francis Mwijukye described the project as a massive boost to development.

“It also improves the value of land wherever it passes. When electricity goes through your land, its value goes up. Am therefore here in Mitooma to show our readiness as Buhweju to welcome the Electricity Access Scale-up Project,” he said.

The Electricity Access Scale-up Project will be implemented over five years and will support the Government’s efforts to increase access to electricity for households, refugee and host communities, industrial parks, commercial enterprises, and public institutions to spur socio-economic transformation, in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and other Government policies.

The project represents a crucial step towards achieving Uganda’s goal of universal energy access by 2030. By bringing electricity to millions of households, the project will not only transform lives but also contribute to Uganda’s social and economic development.

Access to electricity will enable businesses to flourish, creating employment opportunities and fostering local economic growth.

The EASP activities aim to build on earlier Government initiatives in the energy sector, to support the expansion and strengthening of the electricity distribution network, scale up service connections within the network, and increase access to off-grid electricity in refugee settlements and their host communities (outside the existing electricity distribution network), and to scale up clean cooking services and technologies.