Government through UMEME a power distribution company has kick-started building the Nyakahita-Lake Kakyera power line in the Kiruhura district in pursuit of increasing its ambitious access agenda and rural electrification.

The capital expenditure project worth shs750 million, will involve the construction of an 11km distribution line.

The project will benefit thousands of residents in Rwempogo One, Rwempogo Two Village, Rwempogo Trading Centre, Kageeti and the surrounding areas.

Speaking to media, Eng. Samuel Magezi-the UMEME’s project investment manager confirmed that they are to install 3 transformers in the communities around and also extend the low voltage network so that customers will be able to tap from those lines.

The endpoint of the connection will be at Lake Kakyera- the source where National Water is going to pump water targeting to supply communities around villages of Rwempogo1, Rwempogo 2, Birunduma, Rwempogo trading centre, Kageti trading centre and factories around the area all in Nyakashashara sub-county in Nyabushozi Kiruhura district

The Nyakahita-L.Kakyera belt is a water source area. As such, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation decided to increase the water supply in the area by pumping water from Lake Kakyera.

To power up these pumps, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) decided to build a power line to Lake Kakyera. Unfortunately, this power line was vandalized during construction, and REA was unable to complete the job. Also, a REA contractor along the way left the site and the REA was later disbanded. According to Eng. Magezi this project was meant to have been completed in 2021 by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

During the sensitization meeting of local leaders and residents, Mbaine Bayron-the UMEME Operations manager Mbarara, decried the rampant cases of vandandalism and appealed to the communities in Kiruhura district to join the fight against vandalism and safeguard government assets.

Byron Beine expressed concern that Vandalism is not only affecting the electricity sector citing vandalism of railway slippers, water pipes, and road signages among others and called for a combined effort to end vandalism in the country

He said vandalism has become a habit that has been growing in the last few years.

Some of the residents we interviewed hailed the government and UMEME for coming up to repair the line which was vandalized but called for tough measures to eliminate vandalism. These vowed to use their systems to protect the power line.