NELSON K
Local leaders in Kacerere Town Council, Rubanda District, continue to raise serious concerns about the persistent lack of electricity in the area, blaming the absence of power for hindering economic development and contributing to the community’s backwardness.
Speaking to Boona Radio, the leaders stated that electricity scarcity has been a longstanding challenge. They revealed that while electric poles were installed, they lack transformers to supply power to residents. In a show of growing frustration, the leaders have threatened to mobilize residents to strike and demand the removal of the poles, arguing they serve no purpose on their land.
The issue is particularly dire in Nyarukoro Trading Centre, located in Nyamatembe Ward. Here, both local leaders and residents pointed fingers at the responsible authorities and legislative leaders for allegedly neglecting their concerns.
According to Mbabazi Jeffrey, the NRM Chairperson of Nyamatembe Ward and LC1 Chairperson for Nyamatembe Cell, the absence of electricity has crippled economic activities and limited employment opportunities for youth, reinforcing poverty in the area. He noted that the existing poles and wires were installed during the tenure of former MP Eng. Denis Sabiiti. However, he said, the poles are now rotting and decomposing without ever being energized.
Jeffrey expressed a glimmer of hope from Rubanda West constituency aspiring MP Bruce Baraba Kabaasa, who has pledged to do his best to bring electricity to the area.
Jeffrey further highlighted that the lack of electricity is not the only issue facing the community. He noted that roads and culverts are in a deplorable state and warned that other infrastructure lobbied for by Eng. Denis Sabiiti is being destroyed due to neglect. Out of deep frustration, he vowed to rally residents to strike and demand UEDCL/UMEME remove the now-useless electric poles from their land.
Meanwhile, Kacerere Town Council Mayor Mugambagye Eliab expressed deep doubts about ever receiving electricity. He explained that the contractor who was tasked with extending the power network did not hand over to UEDCL, despite UMEME formally exiting after its contract expired. This, he said, signals a lack of ongoing commitment to the power extension project.
On the matter of road infrastructure, Mugambagye stated that as a newly established town council, they have not received any government funding. Currently, they rely on minimal district support and limited local revenue to maintain roads, culverts, and bridges.
Residents and leaders also expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the Kacerere playground. They claim that Rubanda West MP Kamuntu Moses Mwongyera left the grading project incomplete. However, some residents speculated that the MP might return on Friday, May 23, to finish grading the playground.
