There were heated confrontations between hoteliers, health professionals, security officials, and Umeme officials in Kabale district on Wednesday in a meeting orchestrated by Godfrey Nyakahuma, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner. The meeting was prompted by threats of demonstrations by the power consumers about the crippling effects of frequent power outages.
Nicholas Byengoma, the proprietor of Acadia Lodges in Bunyonyi, expressed concern on behalf of the hoteliers, citing the relentless disruptions in power supply. He detailed the severe toll these outages have taken on the hospitality and tourism sector, revealing monthly expenses ranging from Shillings 20 million to 25 million on fuel to sustain generators during power cuts, leading to substantial business losses.
Despite assurances from Umeme and political figures regarding the imminent resolution due to ongoing high-voltage line construction, specifically from Kitwe in Ntungamo to Rubanda in Kigezi, Byengoma was dismayed to learn that this process might extend beyond two years. Byengoma also questioned the peculiar stability of power during President Yoweri Museveni’s visits to Kigezi, only for the issues to resurface upon his departure.
Managers from White Horse Inn and Cephas Inn, Macknab Ananda, and Anthony Muhezera respectively, criticized Umeme for its inadequate customer care, citing unaddressed concerns.
Dr. Gilbert Mateeka, the Kabale District Health Officer, highlighted the dire impact of erratic power on health services. He pointed out that the depletion of blood banks in health centers’ IVs across the region and the compromised oxygen supply at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital adversely affect other health units in Kigezi.
Dr. Esther Rutaremwa, the Rugarama Hospital Medical Superintendent, emphasized the life-threatening consequences of power outages, particularly on infants in incubators and oxygen-dependent patients, highlighting the challenge of explaining such fatalities or injuries to parents.
Kabale District Police Commander, Abel Ruganza, underscored the security implications, stating how power fluctuations provide opportunities for criminal activities and hinder the proper functioning of police detention facilities.
The consumer’s discontent escalated when Paul Ssempila, the Umeme’s Western Regional Manager in Charge of Operations, attributed the outages to fallen tree branches on electric wires noting that safety switches automatically trip when branches interfere.
In response, Mateeka, Byengoma, Nyakahuma, and Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, Chairperson for Kigezi Tourism Cluster, expressed dismay at Umeme’s inability to resolve what they deemed a simple issue. Nyakahuma warned of potential peaceful demonstrations if Umeme fails to address the ongoing problems.
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