Speeches Shim
When COVID-19 hit Uganda, Margaret Bayoru worried about how patients in the country's remote facilities in the West Nile region would receive medicines. As the person responsible for inventory management at Arua regional emergency supply chain stores, Margaret knew that her colleagues in these health facilities not only needed the medicines to save patients' lives, but they also needed personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, so bringing electricity to more than 40 million Ugandans is a critical national and regional objective. Despite significant efforts over the last 20 years, the rate has remained low—around 24%. Although power is available in Uganda, many communities, homes, and businesses do not have access to electricity due to expensive grid connection fees, including high house wiring costs. To fast-track and scale electrification access, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), working with several donor organizations including USAID and Power Africa, developed the national Electricity Connections Policy (ECP). Operationalized in November 2018, the ECP removes electricity connection fees (at least $165) and significantly reduces the inspection charges for customers.
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Last updated: July 19, 2021
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