By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Residents of Namagogo Village, South Division, Mubende Municipality, Mubende District, took to the streets in the early hours of Tuesday, December 24, 2024, to protest a three-month power outage that has crippled businesses and daily life.
The community’s transformer, which supplies electricity to the area, malfunctioned in September.
Although it was replaced two months later, the new transformer only worked for a week before also failing. Since then, the area has been plunged into darkness, despite pleas to leaders to intervene.
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The power outage has had a devastating impact on local businesses, particularly two fuel stations, Hattelo and Wills Oil, which have been forced to rely on generators for three months.
This has resulted in significantly higher operating costs, making it challenging for them to compete with other stations.
Small businesses, such as drink sellers, saloons, and other establishments that rely on electricity, have been forced to close, leaving owners struggling to pay rent.
The prolonged power outage has also affected the livelihoods of residents, who have been unable to access basic services like lighting, refrigeration, and communication.
The community’s frustration has been compounded by the perceived inaction of local leaders, including Mayor Ssekiziyivu Innocent, MP Lubega Bashir Ssempa, and Woman MP Hope Grania Nakazibwe, all members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Despite residing in the area, Woman MP Hope Grania Nakazibwe has been criticized for her silence on the issue.
The community’s decision to protest was seen as a last resort to draw attention to their plight.
The protest, which involved blocking the Mubende highway, was met with a swift response from police, who cleared the blockade and restored traffic flow.
However, in a cat-and-mouse game, protesters re-blocked the road ahead, refusing to back down until their demands are met. Police quickly responded again, clearing the new blockade.
“It’s unacceptable that we have been without power for three months,” said one resident. “We urge the authorities to take immediate action to restore electricity to our community.”
As of press time, Umeme, the national power utility company, had not issued a statement on the matter.
The leaders of the area, who have been criticized for their silence, have yet to respond to the community’s concerns.
The community remains in the dark, literally and figuratively, as they await a resolution to the power outage that has disrupted their lives for three months.
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