Yesterday, Masaka Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Mathias Mpuuga introduced a motion in Parliament urging government to provide a waiver on Payment of water and electricity for six months during the period of COVID-19 lockdown.
Mpuuga noted that the lockdown as a result of the COVID-l9 pandemic has had devastating effects on the Ugandan economy including but not limited to the closure of companies, loss of employment through laying off of workers, loss of earning for those in the informal sector who could no longer access their workplaces because of movement restrictions.
These, according to Mpuuga, have rendered the citizenry generally unable to pay for essential services including food, water and electricity yet at this critical moment, access to electricity and water for Ugandan households, health facilities and other vital public services is fundamental to mitigating the most devastating impact of COVID-l9 in the country.
It is a known fact now that handwashing with soap and water is a critical defence against the spread of COVID-19 and access to electricity is key to ensuring rapid economic recovery and helping put Uganda on a sustainable trajectory after the immediate crisis has passed.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by Parliament that government is urged to provide waivers for utility bills of water and electricity by making payment for the same to the utility companies of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and other umbrella companies and Umeme for a period of six months as a form of mitigating the impact of the COVID-l9 pandemic on the Ugandan economy,” Mpuuga’s motion reads in part.
The motion was seconded by Bugabula County South Constituency MP Hon. Kibalya Maurice MP, Hon. Gerald Karuhanga of Ntugamo Municipality, Hon. Osegge Asio Angelline, the Soroti District Woman Representative, Hon. Baryayanga Andrew Aja of Kabale Municipality, Hon. Nambeshe John Baptist of Bududa Manjiya County Constituency and Hon. Amoding Monicah of Kumi Municipality.
Parliament unanimously adopted Mpuuga’s motion.