Kigezi sub-region will receive a new electricity sub-station by the end of November 2024 in Muko sub-county, Rubanda district. This development aims to boost power supply in the Kigezi region. Minister of State for Energy, Okaasai Sidronius Opolot, communicated this during a meeting with Kisoro district’s political and technical leaders at the office of the Resident District Commissioner.
The 80-megawatt sub-station will serve the districts in the Kigezi region. In his remarks, Minister Opolot expressed optimism about establishing another sub-station in Kisoro district in the future. The new sub-station is in response to requests from regional leaders and aligns with the government’s objectives of promoting industrialization.
Hon. Okaasai, leading the ministry’s technical team in the Kigezi region, noted concerns about frequent power outages in Kisoro district due to the nearest sub-station being located in Mbarara. To address this, the ministry plans to decentralize power accessibility, with new sub-stations also being established at Mirama Hills in Ntungamo and in Muko sub-county, Rubanda.
Despite the current consumption rate of 10 megawatts, Minister Okaasai mentioned that the surplus capacity of 70 megawatts would ensure reliability and adequacy of the power supply. He also encouraged leaders to prioritize productive ventures, as the ministry is planning another sub-station in Kisoro to support the government’s strategy to reverse electricity importation from Rwanda by focusing on import substitution.
Kisoro’s position necessitates sourcing electricity from Ntaruka in Rwanda, prompting the Ugandan government to reverse this importation strategy and adopt export promotion strategies for electricity.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Okaasai tasked leaders from Kisoro district to prioritize areas for power distribution and submit their recommendations to his office by Friday, August 30, 2024.
Following the Minister’s remarks, the Chairperson of the Members of Parliament from Kisoro district, Kamara John Nizeyimana, expressed optimism about the anticipated developmental projects in his constituency and the district.
Similarly, Bufumbira South MP Eng. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda, who was in attendance, voiced his support for the minister’s communication, highlighting its potential to ensure power adequacy and reliability.
Also present was Kisoro district Chairman Abel Bizimana Zulupayi, who praised the minister for addressing their request. Bizimana, along with Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu, had previously visited the ministry to present the district’s concerns. Bizimana called on all sub-county leaders to attend a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 28, 2024, to discuss and prioritize power distribution needs.
