Ntungamo Municipality authorities have acknowledged persistent dark spots across parts of the town, attributing the issue to the high cost of installing and maintaining street lighting, even as they prioritize the central business district (CBD) where economic activity runs around the clock.
Town Clerk Seleverio Byarufu Mukobi said most existing street lights were installed under road projects or government funding, with a deliberate focus on keeping the busiest areas well lit.
“We have some dark spots in town. But partly the reason is that investing in street lights is an expensive venture,” Mukobi explained.
He noted that ongoing infrastructure upgrades are beginning to extend relief to underserved peri-urban areas, where modern road construction now comes with integrated street lighting.
This approach ensures that new developments are safer and better planned, even as older neighborhoods continue to face gaps.
“As a municipality, we are committed to expanding, installing more street lights, and maintaining those we already have,” Mukobi added.
In response to outages, the municipality recently launched a Shs275 million project to restore all non-functional street lights across Ntungamo, targeting both the CBD and surrounding areas where darkness has raised safety and mobility concerns.
The initiative aims to improve urban safety, enhance night-time mobility, and gradually reduce the longstanding gaps in the town’s street lighting infrastructure.
