Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has championed a transformative government initiative known as the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP), targeting the connection of over 1.3 million rural households to the national power grid. Launched in Mitooma District, the multi-billion-dollar project aims to enhance livelihoods and spur development in rural communities.
Tayebwa, also the area’s Member of Parliament, hailed the EASP as a pivotal endeavor aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, National Development Plan (NDP) II and III, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. The project, co-funded by the World Bank with a $638 million investment, will facilitate both on-grid and off-grid connections to broaden energy access across the country.
Expressing gratitude to the World Bank for their financial support, Tayebwa emphasized the collaborative efforts between the World Bank, the government of Uganda, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in fostering sustainable development.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, assured the public that the EASP would achieve full electricity access for all Ugandans by 2030. She highlighted the project’s comprehensive nature, encompassing grid expansion, financial intermediation, and support for refugee host communities.
Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, outlined the project’s objectives, emphasizing financing energy access in refugee host communities and extending electricity access to settlements and host district communities through grid networks or stand-alone solar technologies.
Local Members of Parliament, including Juliet Agatha and Francis Mwijukye, praised the project for its positive impact on development, expressing support for its implementation in their respective districts.
The Electricity Access Scale-up Project, spanning five years, represents a crucial step toward achieving Uganda’s goal of universal energy access by 2030. Beyond transforming lives, the project is expected to contribute significantly to socio-economic development by promoting business growth, creating job opportunities, and fostering local economic progress. It builds upon previous government initiatives in the energy sector, marking further strides in Uganda’s advancement.
