By Kundu Ronald
In a growing tide of frustration, the residents of Kigaragara Village have voiced their disgust over the persistently inadequate electricity services provided by UMEME Limited. The community, nestled within the Kigumba Town Council of Kiryandongo District, has been grappling with recurrent power outages that have severely impacted their lives, businesses, and access to essential services.
The grievances were formally expressed in a petition submitted to UMEME Limited, dated August 13, 2023. The letter, highlights the dire situation that has plagued the community for an extended period. The ongoing power outages have disrupted everyday activities, caused financial losses for local businesses, and hindered access to crucial services such as healthcare and education.
Kigaragara Village residents are particularly dismayed by the lack of effective action taken by UMEME to address the recurring power disruptions. Despite numerous reports and appeals from the community, the utility company has failed to provide a sustainable solution. The root cause of the outages has been attributed to a malfunctioning transformer, which remains unaddressed, leaving the villagers bewildered and disillusioned.
The frustration escalates as Kigaragara villagers observe UMEME’s successful efforts in other regions to combat illegal electricity connections. The lack of a similar approach in their community has only deepened their resentment. Residents are imploring UMEME to extend the strategies that have proven successful elsewhere to identify and rectify illegal connections, which may be contributing to the overall unreliability of the electricity services.
With patience wearing thin, Kigaragara Village residents are demanding swift and decisive action from UMEME Limited. The villagers’ faith in the company’s commitment to quality services is waning, and they are calling for immediate steps to rectify the distressing situation. The community awaits a comprehensive response from UMEME, detailing the measures that will be taken to address the chronic power outages that have marred their daily lives.
The situation has become critical, as the residents of Kigaragara Village can no longer tolerate the inadequate electricity services that undermine their well-being and livelihoods. The petition serves as a reminder that reliable access to electricity is a fundamental right for every community, and Kigaragara is no exception.
