Staff Reporter
Residents of Rugaraama North Sub-county in Ntungamo District are raising concerns over the persistent lack of electricity, which has left the area lagging in development. The sub-county, composed of four parishes—Kajumbajumba, Kakanena, Kamahuri, and Kyafoora—has struggled without sufficient electricity for years.
Fred Muhumuza, the LC2 Chairperson of Kyafoora Parish, expressed frustration, highlighting how the absence of electricity has hindered progress. He recounted a previous effort where poles and a transformer were brought to the area, only for the transformer to be stolen and the wires taken. Muhumuza is now urging top leaders to intervene and provide the sub-county with the much-needed electricity.
“If we had electricity, we could establish businesses and projects such as dairies, coffee processing machines, and millet and maize mills,” said Muhumuza, emphasizing the long distances residents currently travel to access these services.
Robert Nkwasibwoha, a resident of Kakanena Parish, echoed these concerns. He pointed out the challenges faced by schools that rely on computers, noting that leaders have to travel far to print and photocopy materials. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by the Kakanena mining center, where the lack of electricity has led to instability and unemployment among the community members.
“Electricity could have allowed people to start small-scale businesses like welding and salons, boosting their income,” Nkwasibwoha added.
Amanya Ivan Rwanyakibare, the LC3 Chairperson of Rugaraama North Sub-county, lamented that it is the only sub-county in Ntungamo District still without electricity, despite being under the NRM regime for years. He mentioned that even the local Health Centre II, slated for an upgrade to Health Centre III, continues to rely on solar energy due to the lack of a power grid. Rwanyakibare also noted that attempts to follow up on the stolen transformer with Umeme leaders have yielded no results, with officials claiming ignorance of the issue. He called on higher authorities to prioritize bringing electricity to Rugaraama North Sub-county.
