Alebtong Electricity Crisis: MP Elem Demands Immediate Connections as Business Leaders Decry Unstable Power Supply
Moroto County MP Leo Elem has urged the Ministry of Energy to expedite delayed electricity connections in Alebtong District, warning that unutilized poles are being destroyed by bushfires. He faulted UEDCL over persistent outages, while business leaders confirm that unreliable power continues to cripple economic activity across the district.
LCC TV NEWS
ALEBTONG, UGANDA – The Member of Parliament for Moroto County, Leo Elem, has issued a fervent appeal to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to expedite the delayed electricity connection projects in Alebtong District, condemning the stagnation of rural electrification efforts despite the prior installation of critical infrastructure.
During a parliamentary committee session on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Elem articulated the frustrations of his constituents, noting that Alebtong was initially designated as an early beneficiary of the rural electrification programme. Nevertheless, a significant number of villages remain in darkness, as power lines have yet to be linked to the poles that have been erected across the region.
Elem, a member of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized that these protracted delays have systematically denied thousands of residents access to electricity, thereby stifling economic progress and perpetuating underdevelopment within the district. He asserted that the provision of reliable power is indispensable for the empowerment of the youth, facilitating the establishment of income-generating ventures such as welding workshops, carpentry, and other small-scale enterprises.
Furthermore, the legislator highlighted the critical nexus between electricity access and water security. He noted that the current lack of power severely hampers the operation of water pumps, obstructing efforts to improve access to safe and dependable water supplies for the district's populace.
Expressing alarm over the degradation of public assets, Elem warned that many of the unutilized electricity poles are falling victim to bushfires. He cautioned that this phenomenon risks the wholesale loss of government infrastructure before it can be commissioned for public service. He criticized the Ministry of Energy for its languid approach to project execution, arguing that service delivery must be prioritized over bureaucratic inertia.
Elem also leveled sharp criticism at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), pointing to the persistent and frequent power outages afflicting areas already connected to the national grid. He urged the Ministry to intervene decisively to ensure that the people of Alebtong derive tangible benefits from the electricity infrastructure that has been installed in their communities.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY DECRIES UNRELIABLE POWER SUPPLY
Corroborating the MP's sentiments, business leaders in Alebtong District have voiced profound concern over the erratic power supply and limited coverage, noting that these deficiencies continue to undermine business growth and livelihoods.
Bonny Akanya, Chairperson of the Alebtong District business community, acknowledged that while electricity has reached several parts of the district, many communities remain disconnected or grapple with chronic instability in supply. He identified parts of Adwir Sub-county, including Alololo Parish along the Alebtong-Teso border, as among the worst affected areas.
Akanya further noted that although Amugu Town Council, Apala, Aloi, and Alebtong Town Council are connected to the national grid, businesses and households in these localities routinely suffer from power interruptions that cripple economic activities. He cited the specific case of Ajuri Trading Centre, where electricity was cut off for nearly four months, necessitating the intervention of Ajuri County MP Fred Jalameso, who engaged UEDCL to restore the service.
MP JALAMESO HAILS RESTORATION, URGES STABILITY
MP Fred Jalameso commended UEDCL for its responsiveness to the concerns raised by residents but underscored the urgent need for a stable and consistent electricity supply across Ajuri County. He reiterated that reliable power is an essential catalyst for economic development and the enhancement of livelihoods.
The collective outcry from legislators and business leaders comes amid mounting pressure on the government and electricity authorities to improve reliability and extend access to underserved communities across Alebtong District, as the region seeks to unlock its full economic potential.
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