Hoima residents protest three-week power blackout
The blackout has left the entire sub-county in darkness, severely disrupting livelihoods and crippling businesses.
Hoima: Residents and business owners in Kapapi Sub County, Hoima District, have expressed their frustration over a power blackout that has lasted for almost three weeks.
On Thursday, local leaders and residents gathered to demand answers from Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), calling for immediate action to resolve the ongoing power failure.
The blackout has left the entire sub-county in darkness, severely disrupting livelihoods and crippling businesses.
Areas such as Kapapi trading center, Kyamukwenda, Siiba, and Kibengeya trading center are among the most affected.
Business owners who rely on electricity, including Moses Kisembo, who runs a saloon, electronic shop, and video hall at Siiba trading center, have been unable to operate.
Kisembo stated that for the past two weeks, he has been unable to meet customer demands due to the closure of his businesses.
Local leaders, including Geoffrey Tumwesige, a sub-county councilor representing people with disabilities, have expressed their concerns, demanding immediate intervention by UEDCL to restore power and return normalcy to the area.
Difasi Basiimaki, a councilor from Kibengeya Parish, emphasized that businesses dependent on power have come to a halt, urging UEDCL to expedite the restoration process.
Fred Mbabazi, the LC3 Chairperson for Kapapi Sub County, added that the power outages have also affected families, with some parents unable to provide basic necessities or scholastic materials for their children. Mbabazi has called on UEDCL to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
In response, Jonan Kiiza, UEDCL’s spokesperson, confirmed the power outages in Kapapi Sub County. He explained that these issues are related to the electricity transition that began at the start of the month.
Kiiza assured the residents that efforts are underway to address the problem, with transformers being dispatched to the affected areas. Once the transformers arrive at Masindi station, they will be installed in Kapapi to restore power.
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