Acon Bua Presses Energy Ministry Over Unconnected Power Poles in Otuke

What the report says

Kampala, Uganda — Otuke East MP Julius Acon Bua has urged the Energy Ministry to speed up long-delayed electricity connections in Otuke District, saying power poles installed years ago have still not been linked to wires. The issue was raised during a parliamentary sitting on Wednesday, according to Dokolo Post, which reported that Otuke was among the early areas covered under a rural electrification push following a 2019 government directive.

Acon said the unfinished network has left many communities without access to electricity even though the basic infrastructure is already in place. He argued that the delay is holding back local economic activity, particularly for young people who might use power for small businesses such as welding and carpentry. He also said electricity could help improve water access by running pumps in parts of the district.

The MP further warned that some of the unconnected poles are being damaged by wildfires, raising concerns that existing investment could be lost before residents benefit from it. He said repeated appeals over the years had not solved the problem and pressed the ministry to intervene.

More broadly, rural electrification projects across Uganda often face implementation gaps between pole installation and actual household connection, which can delay expected social and economic benefits. In this case, the reported concern is that Otuke residents remain unable to use infrastructure that was meant to bring power to the district.