Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has again warned of serious action against those who attempt to sabotage economic development in the country, state owned New Vision daily reported on Tuesday.

"Our economy is in a crisis created by past mistakes made by these chaps who we eventually threw out and are now in opposition Forum for Democratic Change," Museveni said while addressing the country's international Labor Day celebrations on Monday.

Museveni accused the country's 6th Parliament and donors of sabotaging the building of dams, thus causing the current electricity power crisis that is threatening to cripple the country's economy.

"This should be the last time we are having shortage of electricity because of our mistakes. This should not be the time we have these mistakes. I am going to take a very serious view of anybody who wants to create those problems in Uganda," he said.

Museveni said the government was working around the clock to end the power crisis, adding that two crucial dams Bujagali and Karuma would be completed within 42 months, with or without donor assistance.

He said in the short run, the government would import two diesel generators that would generate 100 megawatts (MW) and that the government was also focusing on introducing power saving mechanisms, including energy-saving bulbs and solar systems, which would save 96 MW of the required 185 MW power.

The Ministry of Finance said last week that government spent over 11 billion shillings (6 million U.S. dollars) per month on subsidizing power tariffs for consumers, a burden which has to be shared by costumers.

"The issue of energy is tremendously affecting the budget. The government doesn't have all this money to pay per month. We have decided to share the cost with consumers," Finance Minister Ezra Suruma said.

Source: Xinhua