Lawmaker Acon asks Minister of Energy ‘why REA has failed to connect rural areas’

Otuke East Member of Parliament, Julius Acon Bua, has raised public concern over the unemployment of youth in his constituency, attributing it partly to the lack of electricity in rural areas. 

He reminded Parliament that in 2019, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to prioritise power connectivity in rural communities to enable residents to access electricity for domestic and commercial use.

Acon made these remarks on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, on the floor of Parliament. He recounted that during the 10th Parliament, REA delivered electric poles to his constituency, but since 2019, the agency has failed to string wires from one pole to another.

He noted that some of the poles are now rotting or damaged, stating that this situation is unacceptable because his people also deserve access to power.

Acon further argued that the lack of electricity in Otuke is contributing to youth unemployment across the country. Many young people, including salon operators and welders, are unable to start or sustain businesses due to the absence of power.

He lamented that while other regions or sub-regions are benefiting from the REA project, Otuke—which was among the first districts to receive electrical materials—has now become one of the last to be connected.

The MP cited that if REA had connected power in some areas of Otuke East, the electricity would have been instrumental in pumping water, thereby helping communities access clean water points.

However, he noted that this potential remains unrealised, as many of the poles are now either rusted or have been destroyed by bush fires. He therefore appealed to the Minister of Energy to take urgent action regarding power connectivity in Otuke.

Lawmaker Acon urged the Minister to respond to the matter, stating that he has been following up on this issue since the 11th Parliament but has yet to receive any positive feedback.

He disclosed that several official letters have been written on the subject, but no response has been forthcoming.

Minister Dr Monica Musenero Masanza has yet to respond to Acon’s concerns.