MPs have called for the re-establishment of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), raising concerns over slow progress in extending electricity to rural areas.
Legislators on the Budget Committee questioned officials from the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development over what they described as limited results despite significant funding allocated in recent years.
The concerns were raised during a session of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Herbert Ariko, the MP for Soroti City East.
Ariko was presenting a request for additional funding to support rural power distribution, the National Environment Management Authority and the National Petroleum Authority.
Patrick Isiagi, the Budget Committee chairperson, questioned the utilisation of funds, including support from the World Bank.
“I wonder why everything has gone to sleep despite the World Bank funding. Was the World Bank money just a donation? What was the purpose of securing this loan without any progress?” Isiagi said.
Isiagi and other members linked the slow progress to the merger of the Rural Electrification Agency into the energy ministry. They argued that service delivery has declined since the restructuring.
He also asked Ariko to explain the need for additional funding of Shs3bn when there was little to show for funds allocated by parliament over the past three years.
Dr Michael Lulume Bayigga, the MP for Buikwe South, demanded accountability for more than Shs300bn previously approved for rural electrification.
He said there was no clear value for money, noting that the expected benefits such as job creation, agro-processing and industrial development in rural areas had not been realised.
Bayigga also criticised the committee for failing to provide updates on funding for the National Forestry Authority. He warned that several forest reserves, including Nakizza, Kisisita, Ddimu and Mabira, were under threat due to encroachment for sugarcane growing.
Hope Grania Nakazibwe, the woman MP for Mubende district, asked the energy ministry to support communities affected by mining activities in Kassanda and Mubende. She cited the need for electricity, better roads, schools and clean water.
Paul Omara, the MP for Otuke county, blamed the slow implementation of power projects on poor supervision by both technical staff and ministers. He also raised concerns about vandalism along the Karuma transmission line.
Fred Opolot, the MP for Pingire in Serere district, questioned whether the country would meet its power generation targets. He also asked the ministry to clarify the relationship between reported excess power and continued shortages in some areas.
Dr Musa Noah, the MP for Koboko North, criticised the report for omitting progress on the Nexus Green project. He also highlighted poor coordination in the rollout of water and electricity connections in his district, saying that despite surveys, no work had started.
In response, Ariko urged parliament to support efforts to revive a dedicated rural electrification agency to accelerate power distribution and support industrial growth in rural areas.
He requested Shs60 billion for the resettlement of project-affected persons along the Karuma line and additional funding for NEMA to strengthen environmental management, especially in light of ongoing oil activities.
Ariko also called for investment in training for staff in mining areas to improve professionalism and regulation.
