VANESSA A
Residents of Rwengwe Cell, Bushura Parish, Kirima Subcounty in Kanungu District have decried persistent electricity shortages, revealing that their area has never received even a single electricity pole despite years of government surveys.
Speaking to our reporter, LC1 Chairperson Rwengwe Cell, Polycap Byamukama, confirmed that the community has never benefited from electricity services. He noted that residents are forced to spend 10,000 shillings traveling to Kanungu town just to access basic services like shaving, which he described as very expensive for them.
Byamukama appealed to the government, through their leaders, to lobby for electricity connections and clean water, stressing that access to power would enable the youth to start income-generating projects such as welding.
CUE IN……………..Polycap ……….//RR
Another resident, who preferred anonymity, revealed that poor service delivery has left many youth idle. He noted that those who studied electricity-related courses like welding are unable to practice their skills, pushing some into theft as a means of survival. He further explained that he once started a business of showcasing live football commentaries but was forced to rely on a generator, which is very costly to maintain.
Andrew Ngabirano, another resident, echoed similar concerns, saying the solar energy many depend on is unreliable, especially during the rainy season when it grows dim or when equipment is stolen by thieves. He added that lack of electricity has also left residents with no reliable place to charge their phones, fueling more theft cases in the area. Ngabirano appealed to government to urgently extend electricity to Rwengwe, emphasizing that schools, health centres, and churches in the area also need the service.
CUE IN…………..Andrew RR
When contacted, LC3 Chairperson Kirima Subcounty, David Kamahanga, urged residents to remain patient, assuring them that leaders had already presented the matter to the relevant authorities. He said follow-ups are ongoing to ensure people in the subcounty access the services they deserve.
CUE IN…………..Kamahanga…………// RR
