Outgoing Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi has sparked controversy after disconnecting the electricity he had helped extend to Buyaaya village in his constituency following his defeat in the January 15 parliamentary elections.
Residents woke up to a blackout shortly after Nsibambi, a veteran opposition politician from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), lost his seat to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Suzan Nakawuki.
The power supply, which included a transformer and street lights that the MP had funded with personal resources, was cut off in the days following the election.
Many villagers interpreted the move as politically motivated, saying electricity was never disconnected before the election but was abruptly cut once Nsibambi lost.
Some residents pointed out that while the community was plunged into darkness, power continued to flow to Nsibambi’s own residence, raising further questions about the motives behind the action.
In response, Nsibambi has defended his decision, arguing that the infrastructure was funded personally and that he was under no legal or moral obligation to continue supplying power after losing office.
“I paid for it with my own money,” he said, according to local reports.
However, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has stated that electricity infrastructure, regardless of who funds it, legally remains under the control of licensed distributors, and private individuals have no authority to disconnect power lines. This stance has drawn official criticism of the ex-MP’s actions.
The loss of electricity disrupted daily life in Buyaaya, affecting homes and small businesses, and residents have appealed to government authorities to intervene with independent infrastructure to prevent future service manipulation.
The incident has reignited debate about politicians’ responsibilities and the politicisation of public services in Uganda’s post-election landscape.
