The President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni shocked the world when he told Parliament today that the country would be free of load shedding for only three years once the construction of Bujagali hydro power plant ends in July 2012.

On receiving Museveni’s message to MPs and all Ugandans at large hundreds of people started calling on radio stations describing Museveni’s statement as ‘total rubbish.’

Some of the callers who described themselves as Luba Kyoya, Isaac Mutyaba, Makolo Kavuma and Tina Walugembe wondered whether the president still have the right message to deliver to the public.

The president said that with Bujagali producing 250 megawatts of power Uganda will have no load shedding for the next three years. The callers and radio panelists say that they expected Museveni to tell the world that Uganda will no longer have load shedding.

The post Ugandans attack Museveni for stating that Uganda will be free of load shedding for only three years first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The ministry of finance energy last week requested parliament to approve a supplementary budget of 62 billion shillings to enable the ministry of energy pay the thermo power suppliers.

However the budget was rejected by MPs on grounds that parliament had not received accountability for the 92 billion shillings which they approved in April for the same purpose.

The matter was referred to the committee of budget and natural resources. One of the members on this committee also mp for Rwampara Vincent Mujuni Kyamadidi says they need the minister to first explain why there is load shedding yet the money which was approved could run the power supply companies up to September this year.

Uganda is currently facing an acute power crisis which economic experts are worried will slow down the country’s economic growth.

By Isaac Senabulya

The post Energy minister to appear before parliament over load shedding first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

According to energy minister Irene Muloni, the darkness in the country is as a result of failure by UETCL to pay a staggering over 200 billion shillings owed to the independent power generating companies.

Irene Muloni, Uganda's Minister of Energy and Mineral Development

Addressing a press conference at Uganda Media Center, Muloni who was flanked by information minister Mary Karooro Okurut said that UETCL which buys power in bulk form from the independent companies owes them 299.5 billion shillings.

As a result, Muloni explained that the companies decided to close down their business until government clears their arrears.

Power producer Aggreko switched off 50megawatts based at Kiira, in Jinja, Electro-maxx Ltd switched off 22 megawatts based in Tororo District, while Jacobsen Ltd shut down its 50-mw plant in Namanve on Wednesday, drastically cutting electricity supply to the national grid.

This has resulted in day and night long load shedding in different areas from 6am-spm and 6pm to 6am and power distributor Umeme tries to ration the available electricity.

Muloni says the ministry of finance has been able to pay 92 billion shillings but over 200 billion in arrears is still outstanding. She says they are working with the Ministry of Finance to see that the balance is paid so that these companies can resume work (generate electricity) in full gear.

Muloni appealed to the public to remain calm, but gave no definite date or month as to when the outstanding debts will be paid so that load shedding ends.

Meanwhile, Karooro asked city traders to abandon their sit-down strike arising from the ongoing inflation and falling shilling, saying government is fully considering their concerns.

Minister of Energy Muloni unsure when energy crisis in Uganda will end

The ministry for energy and mineral development has declined to give a definite date as to when the ongoing power crisis will be settled.

According to energy minister Irene Muloni, the darkness in the country is as a result of failure by UETCL to pay a staggering over 200 billion shillings owed to the independent power generating companies.

Addressing a press conference at Uganda Media Center, Muloni who was flanked by information minister Mary Karooro Okurut said that UETCL which buys power in bulk form from the independent companies owes them 299.5 billion shillings.

As a result, Muloni explained that the companies decided to close down their business until government clears their arrears.

Power producer Aggreko switched off 50megawatts based at Kiira, in Jinja, Electro-maxx Ltd switched off 22 megawatts based in Tororo District, while Jacobsen Ltd shut down its 50-mw plant in Namanve on Wednesday, drastically cutting electricity supply to the national grid.

This has resulted in day and night long load shedding in different areas from 6am-spm and 6pm to 6am and power distributor Umeme tries to ration the available electricity.

Muloni says the ministry of finance has been able to pay 92 billion shillings but over 200 billion in arrears is still outstanding. She says they are working with the Ministry of Finance to see that the balance is paid so that these companies can resume work (generate electricity) in full gear.

Muloni appealed to the public to remain calm, but gave no definite date or month as to when the outstanding debts will be paid so that load shedding ends.

Meanwhile, Karooro asked city traders to abandon their sit-down strike arising from the ongoing inflation and falling shilling, saying government is fully considering their concerns.

The post Minister of Energy Muloni unsure when energy crisis in Uganda will end first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.