Shs 1.2 billion power debt plunges Jinja town into darkness
News
HAKIM KANYERE- Jinja is host to two power dams, Bujagali and Kiira hydro power dams.
But as surrounding environs enjoy uninterrupted power, the street lights of Jinja municipality have been off for three years now.
The cause: Jinja municipal council owes Umeme Shs 1.2 billion in arrears so the power company decided to disconnect the town.
To the Jinja town dwellers this was one of the worst actions by Umeme considering the fact that insecurity has now gone up in Uganda once leading industrial town.
At night the town is a nightmare since some criminals take cover in the dark spots wrecking havoc on innocent rssidents.
The most affected are the boda boda riders whose motorcycles have been reportedly grabbed by gangs and the women whose bags are snatched by the criminals.
Despite the night patrols by the men and officers in uniform the insecurity has continued to escalate courtesy of the darkness.
Jinja municipal council spokesperson Rajab Kitto said they cannot afford to pay Shs 1.2 billion, meaning the town shall remain plunged in darkness for some time.
However not all hope is lost.
The municipal authorities say they have embarked on installing solar lights on some streets.
Recently Jinja Mayor Majidu Batambuze launched these solar lights that were installed on Nile Avenue and Bad roads respectively.
Batambuze says since they can't afford to pay Umeme bills they have resorted to buying solar lights.
"Every financial year we shall be budgeting for solar lights on some streets, this year were started with these two roads and we have spent Shs 500 million on these solar lights" Batambuze revealed.
He said that despite the fact it is an expensive venture in the long run it will save the council the burden of monthly electricity bills for street lights.
