The once-dark streets of Avenue and Pajulu roads in Arua City have undergone a transformation with the recent installation of solar streetlights, addressing long-standing concerns from residents and traders about insecurity and poor visibility.
For months, the unlit streets had become a hotspot for criminal activities, with wrongdoers taking advantage of the darkness to target road users. Drivers and riders struggled with poor visibility, contributing to safety concerns.
Since early January, these concerns have been alleviated as solar lights now illuminate Avenue and Pajulu roads at night. The initiative comes after reports in November 2023 highlighted the challenges posed by the dark streets, turning them into potential danger zones.
Ms. Janet Ajidiru, a resident of Nsambia North in Central Division, expressed her relief and joy, stating, “Whenever the lights beam at night, I feel relieved and joyous because some of the areas have been dangerous dark spots.”
Residents, like Mr. Salim Anguzu from Onduparaka in Ayivu West Division, emphasized the importance of maintaining the newly installed lights and called for additional installations on unlit streets, Nebbi-Pakwach highway, Mvara-Oluko Road, and Onduparaka Road.
According to Mr. Cornelius Jobile, the deputy city clerk for Arua, the project involved the purchase of 100 solar streetlights at a cost of Shs678 million, with each unit priced at Shs6.7 million. The World Bank funded the initiative.
Mr. Rashid Oshino, the city’s security secretary, acknowledged a previous allocation of Shs50 million for streetlights in the 2021/2022 financial year, but the funds were not utilized by the end of that period.
Arua City Mayor, Mr. Sam Wadri, emphasized the role of solar streetlights in enhancing security by eliminating dark corners where criminals could hide. He encouraged residents to report any cases of vandalism and highlighted the self-sustaining nature of solar lights, as they do not incur power bills.
