Uganda Parliament Orders Report on Delayed $608m Electricity Project

Uganda's Parliament has ordered the Energy Ministry to submit a detailed report on the delayed 608 million dollar World Bank funded Electricity Access Scale up Project after lawmakers criticised slow household connections, stalled infrastructure and unpaid compensation during Tuesday's sitting.

The order came after State Minister for Energy Sidronius Okaasai Opolot updated Parliament on the five year project, which is meant to extend electricity to households, refugees, industrial parks, businesses and public institutions.

Okaasai told lawmakers that progress has been slower than expected, especially in connecting new consumers through the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited.

"This project is about expanding access so that more Ugandans, including our refugees and businesses in industrial parks, can get connected to affordable and reliable electricity," Okaasai told Parliament.

He blamed local contractors that received contracts to supply electricity connection materials for the slow rollout.

"We are experiencing delays because some of the local suppliers awarded these contracts are failing to meet their obligations. As a result, UEDCL cannot connect consumers as fast as we planned," Okaasai said.

The minister also said the project has struggled to secure wayleaves for electricity distribution because compensation for Project Affected Persons has not been fully paid.

"Without full compensation, we cannot acquire the necessary wayleaves and this continues to affect the rollout of distribution lines," he said.

Okaasai said the Ministry of Finance released Shs18 billion out of the Shs40 billion needed for compensation under the project.

Lawmakers rejected the explanation, saying the work on the ground does not match the amount committed to the programme.

Several members said many places still have electricity poles without power lines, leaving residents without electricity long after the structures were installed.

Parliament demands accountability

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed the Energy Ministry to return to Parliament next Tuesday with a full implementation report.

"We need facts. How many people have been connected, where, and at what cost? Bring us that report on Tuesday next week," Tayebwa ruled.

The report is expected to show the number of electricity connections completed, areas covered, money spent, work already done, outstanding problems and measures being taken to speed up delivery.

Lawmakers said many rural areas are still waiting for electricity even after substantial public investment in the project. They noted that access to electricity supports industrialisation, businesses, education, healthcare and household livelihoods.

The Electricity Access Scale up Project is funded by the World Bank and is scheduled to run for five years. It is intended to expand electricity access to households, refugees, industrial parks, commercial enterprises and public institutions throughout Uganda.

Parliament will continue its discussion on the project after receiving the ministry's implementation report next week.