A section of Members of Parliament want Government to waive water and electricity bills for six months following the lockdown brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19.
A section of Members of Parliament want Government to waive water and electricity bills for six months following the lockdown brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19.
The legislators argue that the lockdown, which came into force in March, has left Ugandans
incapacitated economically and are unable to foot utility bills due to loss of employment by many, failure to run their businesses and also
the movement restrictions that have put things to a standstill.
The MPs say other countries like Ghana already announced free water
for three months, while Guinea says it will freeze house rent and El Salvador
among others has waived water, internet and electricity bills.
URN has seen a copy of the draft motion to
be moved by Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga and seconded by six other MPs, including
Maurice Kibalya of Bugabula South, Gerald Karuhanga of Ntungamo Municipality
and John Baptist Nambeshe of Manjia County.
Mpuuga says that in order to jump-start
the economy, power and water bills waiver are very important and will help businesses start. Mpuuga
says that Government is yet to give any stimulus to Ugandans, and these are
some of the things Government can do.
//Cue in: “Provide a waiver…
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Andrew Aja Baryayanga, the Kabale Municipality MP, says that many
people have been cut off in his area, as they do not have money. He says it is
unfortunate that people need to receive messages on COVID-19 and that people
have to rely on electricity which has been cut
off.
//Cue in: “The money that….
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Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga says that Government spends billions of
money in elections and distributes T-shirts among to voters, but this is actually
the right time to spend on citizens.
//Cue in: “These are essentials…
Cue out:…our people now”//
Monica Amoding, the Kumi Municipality MP, said she hopes to
amend the motion to include free television services for Ugandans and not subscriptions since there are lessons and COVID-19 messages being shared.
Alex Otto
Freelancer