KABALE – Authorities in Kabale Municipality are increasingly alarmed by the escalating vandalism of street lights along major roads, citing a growing threat to public safety and heightened insecurity.
According to Kedress Mutabazi, Deputy Mayor of Kabale Municipality, 10 street lights have so far been vandalized with perpetrators taking solar panels and batteries. The most affected routes include Johnson Road, Jackson Road, leading to Kabale District Headquarters and Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, as well as Rugarama Road, leading to the Diocese of Kigezi headquarters.
She revealed that the municipality had invested Ugx 2 Billion this year to install 200 street lights along vital thoroughfares such as Johnson Road, Jackson Road, and Rugarama Road.
She said that the Municipality’s goal was to enhance safety for Kabale residents during nighttime movements and facilitate access to hospitals but regrettably vandalizing has posed a setback to the Municipality after substantial financial investment. The Municipality is now incurring a loss of Ugx 100 Million to reinstall 10 vandalized street lights along major roads.
CUE IN KEDRESS….ON VANDALISM……RR/ENG//
Sam Arineitwe, the LC3 Chairman for Central Division of Kabale Municipality, proposes a strategic shift in the approach to street lighting. He suggested exploring alternative power generation methods, citing the example of Kalangala, and advocated for a centralized power plant to illuminate key areas, minimizing security concerns associated with dispersed street lights.
CUE IN ARINEITWE….ON THE MATTER….RR/ENG//
Eng Peter Nkurunungi, Director of Geses Uganda Limited, the company tasked with installing street lights in Kabale Municipality says that he reported the incidents to relevant authorities and assured swift action. He called for heightened police patrols to curb further vandalism and recommended incorporating cameras into street lights for enhanced security.
CUE IN NKURUNUNGI…..ON THE MATTER….RR/ENG//
The Kigezi region Police spokesperson, Elly Maate, affirmed ongoing investigations acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
CUE IN MAATE…..ON INVESTIGATIONS…..RR/ENG//
In 2021, the Uganda National Roads Authority replaced solar lights on Kabale High Street with hydro-electricity powered alternatives due to the inefficiency of the solar system caused by inadequate sunlight for battery charging.
