Yei Residents Demand Electricity Supply Before End of 2026

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents of Yei town have expressed optimism over ongoing efforts to restore electricity supply, while calling on authorities to ensure power is fully reinstated before the end of 2026.

Yei, located approximately 100 miles southwest of Juba, is a key commercial hub bordering both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The town has long relied on the Yei Electricity Corporation (YECO), a facility previously supported by USAID, which became nonfunctional at the height of the 2016 conflict.

Efforts to revive the power plant have recently gained momentum, with support from the World Bank and the state government aimed at boosting socio-economic development and improving service delivery.

The State Director of Physical Infrastructure, Lugala Richard Godo, told Access Radio that progress is underway, including the mobilization of resources and maintenance of generators. He indicated that YECO could resume supplying electricity within two months.

Despite this progress, residents say delays have affected their expectations.

Moses Aligo, a resident of Sobe area, noted that the community had hoped for earlier results.

“This project started last year. We expected it to be running by now, and we hope it becomes fully functional before the end of this year,” he said.

Local business owners have also emphasized the importance of reliable electricity to economic activity. Raida Khamisa, a businesswoman in Yei, urged both the government and development partners to accelerate efforts.

“Let the government walk the talk. We really want power so that we can produce local juice from our agricultural products. Power is very important for us businesspeople because it allows us to work longer hours,” she said.

Meanwhile, some residents point to visible signs of progress. Mawa David, writing on Facebook, said YECO has begun replacing old electricity poles to improve grid connectivity.

“This level of seriousness in rehabilitating YECO’s grid and overhauling generators shows that sooner rather than later, the people of Yei will see results,” he wrote.

While optimism is growing, residents maintain that timely delivery will be critical to restoring business confidence and improving daily life in the town.