Residents and traders along the Kampala-Masaka highway are experiencing a renewed sense of safety and economic revival following the installation of solar-powered street lights in key trading centres, including Buwama and Kayabwe town councils.
For years, darkness defined life in these areas, turning towns such as Buwama and Kayabwe into hotspots for violent crime. Murders, burglaries, and thefts became regular occurrences, paralyzing communities and forcing local traders to cut short their business hours. Residents recall a time when the nightfall signalled retreat rather than activity.
“Murders used to be a monthly occurrence, but this is no longer the case,” said Simon Ssekitto, a resident of Kayabwe.
Jumah Lule of Kayabwe highlighted how criminals exploited the cover of darkness.
“They used to kill our people, and the assailants were using darkness to escape. But now, the solar lamps have changed the situation and ensured safety,” he said.
The introduction of street lights has also revived local commerce. Margaret Kayemba, a lungfish vendor in Buwama, noted that fear previously forced her to close shop by 7pm. Since the lights were installed, she can operate until 10pm, significantly boosting her income.
“I now earn Shs 90,000 daily, thanks to the solar street lights,” she said, expressing newfound optimism.
This positive change is mirrored across other installation points, including Mitala Maria, Mbizzinya Roadside Market, Nabusanke, and Nabyewanga Trading Centre. Michael Lutalo, the principal township officer for Kayabwe, confirmed that traders are now able to extend working hours and increase business activity.
The initiative is part of a Shs 550 million security equipment package, primarily comprising solar street lights, funded by Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi in partnership with local councils. While donations of this nature are often seen as philanthropy, MP Nsibambi describes it as proactive leadership addressing gaps in government service delivery.
“You cannot wait for the government to deliver services because they don’t have the money to do so,” he said, adding that the solar lights would transform the beneficiary towns into vibrant urban centres and stimulate the night economy. MP Nsibambi also predicted that towns like Kayabwe and Buwama could achieve municipality status within the next decade.
Local officials welcomed the support, noting the financial challenges faced by lower local governments.
“We tried to procure only 10 solar street lights four months ago, but they were not enough,” said Abdul Rashid Nkinga, Mayor of Buwama Town Council. He praised MP Nsibambi’s intervention as a “developmental move” and appealed for further support from other individuals and organizations to meet the high demand.
Despite the progress, residents stress that more work is needed. Ibrahim Nsubuga, a boda-boda rider, called for a comprehensive lighting strategy that extends beyond the highway to ghetto areas, sharp corners, and residential zones to curb crime and road accidents.
“Criminals are now shifting operations to unlit areas such as Katikannyonyi, Teketwe, and Maggale Cells. There is a need to improve visibility along the entire highway from Busega to the border of Kalungu and Masaka City,” he said.
Nsibambi urged residents to protect the new equipment, particularly security alarms, and to avoid vandalism.
The solar street lights represent a transformative step in improving public safety, enhancing local commerce, and supporting the overall development of towns along the Kampala-Masaka corridor.
