Kampala — ELECTRICITY generation in Uganda has increased to 574 megawatt, up from 60 megawatt in 1968, President Yoweri Museveni announced yesterday. He, however, said it would be higher if Bujagali power dam had not been delayed by a campaign of opposition politicians and environmental activists.

"The delay of the power dam of Bujagali by bad politicians and so-called environmental activists led the economy's growth to remain at only 5%" Museveni said. He made the statement on Wednesday when commissioning the 13 megawatt Buyoge hydropower plant in Kasese district.

He commended Norway-based Tronder Energi for investing in the venture and applauded the government of Norway for supporting the Government in its struggle to make electricity reach every Ugandan.

Museveni told the people of Kasese not to re-elect opposition MPs who interfered with Government programmes. "In the sixth Parliament, you sent me bad leaders who contributed to the delay of Bujagali project. In 2006, you sent them back. So, come 2011, put an end to them because they are selfish."

He noted that the entire population of Kasese was celebrating the arrival of electricity but none of their MPs was present. "Why didn't you elect like the people of Kashari, Mbarara and Busoga, who voted out John Kazoora, Miria Matembe and Salamu Musumba?" he asked.

Museveni listed the threats to the environment as inadequate electricity, forcing people to cut down trees for firewood, primitive agriculture and over-population in rural areas.

He promised to return to Kasese to investigate NAADS projects which were meant to modernise agriculture, adding that he would arrest officials found misusing NAADS funds.