{UAH} President Museveni commissions power grid extension project in West Nile

President Yoweri Museveni has launched the construction of a 400
kilometre electricity grid extension for West Nile region with a
strong appeal to the people of the area to seriously embark on house
hold income generating activities for both food and financial
security.

"The government is working on the infrastructure, all these things are
there, one issue you must now address is home stead incomes. All homes
must plan and make calculations to maximally benefit from your land
holdings through commercial farming," he counseled.

The President was yesterday addressing a public rally at Arua Hill
Boma ground in Arua Municipality after commissioning the construction
works of West Nile Electricity Grid Extension program to cover of
Koboko, Yumbe, Pakwach, Maracha, Panyimur and Zombo. The Nyagak I
power plant that is generating 3.5 MW of power, has only benefited the
towns of Nebbi,Paidha and Arua. The Shs. 50 billion project, is
co-funded by the Government of Germany under the German Development
Bank (KFW), European Union together with the Government of Uganda and
is slated to take 20 months.

President Museveni who on arrival commissioned Malaika Mineral
Bottling Company that also makes bread in Kuluva and a fruit
processing plant in Arua Municipality, urged the people of Arua to
grow more mangoes for processing to improve their incomes. He also
handed over beehives and honey processing equipment to the
Arua-Moyo-Nebbi bee keepers association worth 103million to improve
honey production in the region.

The President called on the people to differentiate between
development and wealth explaining that wealth is at house hold level
but development especially in the area of infrastructure was the
responsibility of government, adding that development only facilitates
wanainchi to create wealth.

President Museveni said a modern economy is based on factories, hotels
and infrastructure adding that development is also done realistically
but not through propaganda and lip-service.
"There are some people who don't understand how development takes
place. They thought it was through propaganda and talking. Development
is scientific work and must be done realistically, it is serious work
not propaganda," he said

President Museveni said with the current trend, there is reason for
Ugandans to smile because many companies and industries are now in
production and new ones are being established increasing the revenue
collections that today stand at Ug.Shs. 9.000 billion annually. The
President cited MTN mobile phone company that pays in taxes Ug.Shs 400
billion annually. He said with the improving revenue collections,
government today has the flexibility to plan properly and join hands
with partners to implement priority programs like infrastructure.

Mr. Museveni further disclosed that the government is also able to
fund this years budget by 82%, the remaining 12% being contributed by
partners.

President Museveni thanked the Government of Germany and the European
Union for their support in the implementation of the West Nile
electrification program.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Engineer Irene Muloni
said that once the project, which is a Christmas gift to the people of
West Nile, is completed, it will transform region.

The European Union Head of Delegation to Uganda Ambassador Kristian
Schmidt told the gathering that the Union and its 28 members are
committed in supporting Uganda realize the 2040 vision of becoming an
upper middle income country with a modern and sustainable
infrastructure.

The Head of Co-operation at the German Embassy Mr. Udo Weber said his
Government is to help the Government of Uganda to build another
hydro-power plant along river Nyagak. He added that the additional 4.6
MW from Nyagak III will meet the rising demand of power in West Nile
region and also ensure sustainability supply for some years to come.
Several Cabinet Ministers as well as all members of parliament from
the region, district and religious leaders attended the colourful
ceremony.

The President's visit is the sixth to Arua since 2011 and has seen him
commissioning and presiding over various development projects that
have transformed the region and boosted trade across borders to South
Sudan and DR Congo.

According to Arua Municipality MP who is also Minister of State for
Investments Aljedra, the frequent visits show the President's
commitment and interest of government to develop region and to
implement the NRM manifesto in developing infrastructure, energy etc.
He said the district will next year embark on its first ever water and
sewerage treatment plant with funding from the World Bank.