UMEME Defends Itself amidst Plans for Protest by Kabale Residents Over Power Outages

Summary:

• Ouma John Mario, the Stakeholder Relations Manager at UMEME, acknowledged that power outages also affect their revenue since they are unable to sell their product.

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KABALE: While the business community in Kabale District is lamenting losses due to frequent power outages, UMEME has also reported facing financial setbacks.

The business owners have on several occasions highlighted that power interruptions, especially at night, are causing insecurity, financial losses, accidents, and disruptions to online lectures and water supply in Kabale Municipality. They have expressed frustration that, despite Uganda supplying electricity to Rwanda, the situation in Kabale remains critical.

Now, in response, Ouma John Mario, the Stakeholder Relations Manager at UMEME, acknowledged that power outages also affect their revenue since they are unable to sell their product. He urged the people of Kabale to collaborate with UMEME to resolve the issue by early next year.

CUE IN OUMA…..ON LOSSES…..ENG//

In light of these issues, Kabale residents are organizing a peaceful demonstration titled “March to UMEME Office Kabale” on the 9th of this month to express their dissatisfaction with the power supply situation, which has significantly impacted the business community.

Ouma explained that Kabale receives its power from Mbarara because, during the colonial period, power supply to Kabale was intended for domestic and administrative use, as it was not considered an industrial hub. He mentioned that the construction of the substation in Karukara, Hamurwa Town Council, Rubanda District, will address the problem. He assured the organizers of the planned demonstration that, despite the current power outages, efforts are being made to resolve the issue.

CUE IN OUMA…..ON PROJECT…..ENG//

The Mirama-Kabale 132 kV transmission line and the associated substation, contracted to the consortium of CCC International Engineering Nigeria Limited and Substation Construction Co. Ltd, is being built in Rubanda District and is currently 55% complete. This project aims to solve power outages in the Kigezi region.