Bududa residents complain over delayed power connections

Bududa residents complain over delayed power connections

Bududa, Uganda | URN | A section of prospective power consumers in Bududa district are up in arms against power distributor Umeme for delayed connection.

Some of the prospective power consumers say despite applying for the connection over a year ago, the power company has failed to deliver.

Bududa is one of the areas with a high number of illegal power connections. Recently, five people were picked in an operation by a team of Umeme officials lead by police for illegal power consumption.

However, the suspects had receipts indicating that they had applied and paid for power but Umeme is yet to deliver prompting them to resort to illegal connections.

One of those arrested is Andrew Natala, who operates a shop and bar.

According to Natala, he paid for a legal connection in January this year but nothing has been done yet he needs power.

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Kalifan Musene, another resident says he applied for power last year, but he has never been connected to date.

Moses Siisa, the Bumayoka Sub county LC III Chairperson wants government to set up a mini power station to resolve the power issues in the district.

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He alleges that Umeme rarely responds to their power problems on ground that Bududa has a poor road network.

The Bududa District LC V Chairperson, Wilson Watira asked the applicant to continue following up with Umeme until they are connected.

He said resorting to illegal connections will only land them in trouble with the law.

The Umeme Mbale Manager, Paul Sempira hasn’t yet commented as he couldn’t be reached by the time of filing this story.

However, a staff in the office that spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity blamed the delayed power connection to under-staffing.