More than 70 villages in Masaka District remain without electricity despite the installation of power poles several years ago, with residents expressing frustration over what they describe as abandoned government promises and stalled rural electrification projects.
The affected areas are located in what residents commonly refer to as “rural Masaka,” covering the constituencies of Bukoto Central and Bukoto East. The region includes Kyesiiga, Buwunga and Bukakata sub-counties, as well as Kyanamukaaka Town Council, and is home to more than 70,000 people across over 200 villages.
Residents say several villages, including Kikuuma-Ddungu, Buwunde-Bamba, Katinyondo, Lukono, Gayaza and Lukoola, have never been connected to the national electricity grid.
In other areas such as Ttala, Kanoni, Bunde and Kyenjerere, electricity poles were installed years ago but power lines were never connected, leaving the infrastructure abandoned.
Locals say the absence of electricity has severely affected livelihoods in the predominantly agricultural communities, limiting opportunities for industrialisation and value addition.
“We do not have maize mills, coffee processing machines, or welding workshops here. Even if you want a simple haircut, you must travel to Masaka City. We are suffering because we cannot start even small businesses that require electricity,” some residents said.
Many households have instead turned to solar power, with solar panels now common across villages. However, residents say the alternative remains unreliable, especially during rainy weather.
“During rainy days, solar systems fail because there is not enough sunlight. Our children cannot revise their books at night, and even charging phones or laptops forces us to travel nearly eight kilometres to Masaka City,” residents explained.
The situation has become more frustrating after several electricity poles installed in the area reportedly began rotting and collapsing before ever being used.
According to residents, the poles were erected about six years ago during the tenure of former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who also served as Bukoto Central Member of Parliament.
Locals claim the electrification project stalled after Ssekandi lost his parliamentary seat and that subsequent leaders failed to follow up on its completion.
“When these poles were installed, it was during the election period. After the elections ended, everything stopped,” said Edward Kigundu, a resident of Kyera Village.
Kigundu added that many residents voluntarily offered portions of their land free of charge to support the electrification project.
“We gave out land freely for these poles without compensation because we believed electricity was finally coming to our communities,” he said.
Area leaders say the lack of electricity has also contributed to insecurity and slowed business growth.
The Mayor of Kyanamukaaka Town Council, Hajjat Zaina Nakidde, said villages without electricity are increasingly vulnerable to crime because darkness provides cover for criminals.
“We are seeing increasing lawlessness in areas without electricity. Power would improve security and also boost business activities,” Nakidde said.
Meanwhile, Kyesiiga Sub-county chairperson Mikidadi Lusiba appealed to government authorities to urgently revive the stalled electrification programme.
“The government should revive the stalled rural electrification project and ensure that all villages in Masaka District are connected to the national grid to spur economic development and improve living conditions,” Lusiba said.