VANESSA A
Residents of Kyitojo Parish, Bwongyera Subcounty, Ntungamo District, have decried the persistent electricity shortages in their area, which have left them in total darkness.
It is reported that the whole of Kyitojo Parish has no access to electricity services, yet the neighboring parishes do. This has left residents with many questions, feeling neglected.
Speaking to our reporter, Edson Baryehuza, a resident of Rwenkuba Cell, raised concerns about the challenge, saying it has greatly contributed to underdevelopment in the area as they cannot start up projects like grinding mills and coffee factories.
He further said their children who studied welding could have jobs after school instead of engaging in theft to earn a living.
Molly Tumwebaze, a resident of Kamatabura Cell in Kyitojo Parish, also echoed the concern, saying in their area they lack electricity services as well as schools. She noted that, as coffee growers, they could be running coffee factories if power was available.
She added that in recent days theft has been on the rise, with thieves breaking into their animal houses and slaughtering them in the bush under the cover of darkness, calling for urgent help from their leaders.
Enos Mugasho, a resident of Bishenga Cell in Kyitojo Parish, expressed frustration, saying even children now in secondary schools have never seen an electricity pole in their area. He added that those with solar panels charge phones at very high costs—2,000 shillings for a smartphone and 1,000 shillings for a small phone—making them feel neglected as if they are not Ugandans.
Provia Namara, a resident of Rwenkurijo Cell in Kyitojo Parish, also raised concerns, noting that the whole parish faces this challenge. She highlighted that Omukarere Trading Centre remains in total darkness, which has fueled underdevelopment.
She added that residents even fear chasing thieves at night, as their own lives could be at risk, lamenting that they have been left unattended to, yet neighboring parishes enjoy electricity services. She made a call to leaders to take action.
However, speaking to our reporter, the LC5 Chairperson of Ntungamo District, Sam Mucunguzi, revealed that they are doing all it takes, in conjunction with UEDCL, to have this problem rectified across Ntungamo District, calling for patience from the residents.
