Residents of Kibuli–Kisasizi Zone have been urged to embrace safe electricity usage and avoid illegal power connections that continue to endanger lives, damage infrastructure, and disrupt power supply in communities.
During a community sensitization engagement held on Thursday, officials from Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited educated residents on electrical safety, proper power usage, and practical measures to prevent accidents in homes and on the national electricity network.
The outreach focused heavily on the dangers associated with illegal electricity connections, which UEDCL said remain among the leading causes of electrical fires, electrocutions, injuries, and frequent power interruptions in residential areas.
“Electricity is important for development and improving livelihoods, but when used unsafely or illegally, it can become very dangerous,” officials said during the engagement.
UEDCL management also raised concern over increasing cases of vandalism targeting electricity infrastructure within the area, warning that the destruction of power installations affects service delivery and exposes communities to greater risks.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals involved in vandalism or illegal electricity connections.
The company further cautioned residents against attaching wash lines to electricity poles and related infrastructure, describing the practice as highly dangerous and capable of causing fatal accidents through accidental contact with live wires.
As part of the sensitization exercise, UEDCL distributed proper wash lines and demonstrated safer methods of installation away from electricity infrastructure.
Speaking during the engagement, UEDCL Area Manager Precious Kemigisha Atingi said the campaign was necessary because many residents still lacked adequate knowledge about electricity safety and the company’s services.
“This sensitization drive was necessary because many people were still illiterate about our services and the dangers associated with unsafe electricity use,” she said.
Residents were encouraged to take collective responsibility in promoting electrical safety by avoiding illegal connections, protecting electricity infrastructure, and prioritizing safe practices within their homes and communities.
