Hon. Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu has urged authorities in Huye District to explore alternative sources of electricity, including solar power, as part of efforts to address recurring power shortages and improve access to essential services.
The senator made the remarks while attending an event marking the achievements recorded by Huye District over the past five years, from 2021 to 2026. He commended the progress made in improving residents’ livelihoods, attributing some of the achievements to collaboration between local authorities, different institutions and communities.
Dusingizemungu called for long-term solutions to the challenges, particularly by diversifying the sources of electricity available to the district rather than relying predominantly on hydropower.
“We should not rely solely on electricity generated from hydropower plants. We also need to consider solar energy and other potential sources so that the problem of power shortages can be addressed sustainably. Other options, including energy generated from peat, could also be explored, WASAC should explore ways of ensuring that water-pumping systems can continue operating so that residents do not spend long periods without access to water,” he said.
Some citizens say prolonged power outages can lead to losses, particularly for businesses dealing in perishable products that require refrigeration. Alexandre Tubisabimana, a resident of Mukura Sector, said power interruptions sometimes force businesses to suspend operations and can result in the loss of refrigerated products.
“When electricity is unavailable for a long time, some businesses have to stop operating. Products such as fish, milk and meat need to be stored in electrically powered refrigerators. If the power remains off for too long, these products can spoil, causing significant losses,” He said.
Beyond electricity, residents have also raised concerns about inconsistent access to water. They say water is not always available when needed, affecting household activities as well as hygiene and sanitation. Residents are calling for a more reliable water supply system that would ensure consistent access to clean water. Despite the challenges, figures from the district show that progress has been made in expanding access to basic infrastructure.
Ange Sebutege Huye District Mayor, said approximately 91 percent of residents currently have access to electricity, while more than 79 percent have access to clean water.
“We will continue doing everything possible to ensure that, under the country’s five-year NST2 development programme, which runs until 2029, every resident has access to water and electricity, with the target of reaching 100 percent coverage,” He said.
Senator Dusingizemungu said the progress achieved over the past five years should be maintained, but stressed that greater efforts are needed to address the remaining gaps.
He said reliable access to water and electricity is essential for ensuring that infrastructure contributes meaningfully to improved livelihoods, business development and the overall socio-economic transformation of Huye District.
