news 9 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Delayed Electrification Projects Plunge Greater Masaka into Prolonged Darkness
Residents of Lwengo, Kyotera, and Rakai districts in Uganda face continued power outages as crucial rural electrification projects stall, leaving newly erected electricity poles as symbols of unfulfilled promises. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/stalled-power-projects-leave-greater-masaka-in-darkness-5588902
For years, communities in the Greater Masaka region have been waiting for reliable electricity, a promise that seems to fade with each passing day. Electricity poles, erected between 2019 and 2020 in Lwengo, Kyotera, and Rakai districts, stand as silent testaments to hopes for development that have yet to materialize. The work had gained momentum in the lead-up to the 2021 General Election, fueled by persistent lobbying from local leaders, including former Bukoto Mid-West MP Abdu Kitatta. However, progress has since faltered, leaving households, businesses, schools, and health facilities disconnected from the national grid.
The lack of electricity hinders economic activities and access to essential services. Businesses struggle to operate efficiently, students face challenges in their studies, and healthcare providers grapple with the limitations of unpowered facilities. The erected infrastructure, while a sign of past intentions, now represents a significant investment that is not yielding its intended benefits.
Residents express frustration over the slow pace and apparent lack of updates regarding the stalled projects. The situation highlights a recurring issue of developmental projects facing delays, impacting the quality of life for many Ugandans. The dream of consistent power supply, which seemed within reach just a few years ago, remains a distant reality for these areas.