VANESSA A
Long-standing electricity shortages have severely hindered development in Butare Cell, Bushura Parish, Kirima Sub-county, Kanungu District.
Residents report that for many years they have not seen a single electricity pole in their area, a clear sign, they say, that no government power program has reached them. This lack of electricity has greatly slowed down development and affected their livelihoods.
Speaking to our reporter, Banneti Amanya, a resident of Butare Cell, said it is impossible for people to live comfortably without electricity, yet they are Ugandans like any others. He explained that many residents had hoped to start small businesses such as salons and welding workshops, but these plans have stalled due to the absence of electricity. Banneti called upon their leaders to lobby for them and help get the community out of darkness.
He added that residents have strong hopes in the newly elected leaders to ensure that services reach the grassroots so that people can live happily under the current government.
Another resident, Seth Ahereza, said the area does not even have a single electricity pole. He revealed that residents are forced to walk nearly eight kilometers to Kanungu Town to charge their phones, get haircuts, or access welding services. Seth added that solar power has not been reliable, as solar panels often become ineffective during the rainy season.
He further noted that the lack of electricity has fueled theft cases in the area, since solar lights go dim at night. He appealed to the government, through their leaders, to urgently provide electricity services to the community.
However, speaking to our reporter, the LC3 Chairperson of Kirima Sub-county, David Kamahanga, called for patience from the community. He said that as leaders, they are continuously following up on government programs to ensure that people access essential social services, including electricity.
Kamahanga added that top government leadership has assured them that in the months of August and September, the Ministry of Energy will begin the distribution of electricity poles in Kirima Sub-county and across Kanungu District.
