The minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has said government is considering cutting off power to its ministries and agencies that are deep in arrears.
Nankabirwa made the remarks in a meeting with the board of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) where some members complained that many agencies did not want to pay for electricity in time affecting their delivery.
“It pains that we disconnect ordinary people when they don’t pay their bills yet government agencies are left free,” she said.
She said some of the agencies that could be affected by the move are: Uganda Prisons, Uganda Police, government hospitals and government ministries and departments.
Government entities owe Umeme at least Shs 150 billion in unpaid bills according to the latest Auditor General’s report.
Section 5.3 of the Power Sales Agreement between Umeme and UETCL allows Umeme to defer payment to UETCL in case a government agency does not pay its power bills in time.
She said government shall build more power dams especially in border districts to generate more power for domestic consumption and for export.