Members of Parliament are concerned that the unexplained power cuts across the country are affecting businesses and creating idleness in the population.
During plenary on Thursday afternoon, MPs demanded for a statement from the Minister of Energy and Mineral development to present a comprehensive statement on persistent power outage in the country.
This development followed a power blackout experienced on Wednesday, 30 November 2022 in different parts of Kampala experienced blackouts the following day.
There have also been persistent power outage in the country.
Rising on a matter of national importance during plenary on Thursday, 1 December 1 2022, Hon. Geofrey Macho (Ind., Busia Munic.) said that several businesses in his constituency have been affected because of persistent power outage.
“This is a problem to our business community that people who earn from welding are no longer working; ladies and gentlemen with salons are not working, moreover government gave them money for Emyooga,” Macho said.
He said for the past eight months, power has been inconsistent in different parts of the country.
Hon. Asinansi Nyakato (FDC, Hoima City) said the Wednesday countrywide power outage was not the first time it was happening, saying that several traders and manufacturers were complaining of the same.
She called for an explanation on government interventions to permanently solve the problem.
Hon. Denis Nyangweso (Ind., Samia Bugwe Central) said that in his constituency, water is pumped using electricity and because of the load shedding, water access has been affected.
The Minister of General Duties, Justine Kasule Lumumba, apologized for the load shedding, and committed to ensure that the Minister of Energy responds to the matter and gives accountability and way forward for what has happened.
Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, said the power outages are an issue that has affected the whole country. She directed that the Minister of Energy should issue a statement next week.
