Reduce electricity prices for poor Ugandans – Mpuuga

By Francis Lubega

3^rd March 2022

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament -LOP Mathias Mpuuga has urged government to consider lowering the unit cost of electricity for the poor than concentrating on strengthening governing policies in the power sector. 

Mpuuga made the remarks while presenting the alternative amendments in the government’s proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 that’s before the Parliamentary Physical Structure Committee that seeks to give powers to the Minister of energy to regulate the sector.

Mpuuga said that it’s disheartening to see that Industrial electricity is charged much lower than the domestic consumable power yet it’s the local Ugandan who pays for loans got by government to build power dams.

Apparently, the Yaka unit cost for domestic use is 5 US cent compared to that of industrial use at 3.5 US Cents.

Mpuuga says if the cost of power both from generation to final consumer is lowered will help in stopping power theft and increased power consumption and as a result there will be preservation of the environment from charcoal dwellers.

He further advised government reconsider the decision of merging the electricity companies but rather strengthen their policies of governance and operations.

Mpuuga also said that government should avoid selling shares of these power generating companies to individuals.