Residents of Kisoro Municipality are growing increasingly frustrated with persistent power outages, which have led to significant economic losses, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on electricity.
According to local residents, the power supply has been inconsistent for over a week, disrupting the operation of essential equipment. The most affected sectors include hotels, petrol stations, welders, and health facilities.
Due to these frequent outages, many businesses are forced to rely on expensive generators, which in turn reduces their daily earnings. Denis Hakiza, a local welder; Jackson Samvura, director of Ebenezer Computer Services; and Wigan Tahigwa, manager of Champs Petrol Station, all expressed concerns over the negative impact of power outages on their daily income.
They highlighted several serious consequences, such as lost productivity, damaged equipment—since power fluctuations can harm sensitive machinery, leading to additional repair costs—and spoiled perishable goods, contributing to further financial losses.
Perhaps most troubling is the increased risk of crime, as power outages can disable security systems, creating an opportunity for burglaries and theft.
Hajji Badru Ssebyala, the Kisoro District Resident District Commissioner, has called on the relevant authorities to address the issue as a matter of urgency.
He noted that power outages are not just an economic problem but also a security concern, as criminals can exploit the resulting darkness.
He assured residents that Kisoro District will soon be connected to the newly commissioned Rubanda Power Station, which was inaugurated by President Museveni.
Meanwhile, the manager of UMEME Kisoro District declined to comment on the ongoing issue.
