Kampala traders demonstrate over power blackout

Francis Emorut

City traders along Kampala Road are on strike complaining of lack of electricity for two weeks which affects business operations.

The traders operating businesses at EM Plaza blamed power supplier, Umeme for not responding despite numerous complaints lodged to the company.

“The Government should get another power supplier because Umeme has failed to ensure that there is constant power for business operations,” Ronnie the deputy chairman of the city traders said.

Traders who sell electronics especially computers are concerned that they lose potential customers because they cannot test the gadgets due to lack of power.

The traders’ frustration is worsened as some of them cannot use generators blaming Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for confiscate their generators when they place it outside the building.

“What should we do even KCCA takes our generators when found outside the shop,” Semakula Kigozi said.

The Police kept an eye on the striking traders to prevent them from causing any destruction.

Police officers commanded by the DPC Central Police Station, James Rweheza, grabbed city traders sign posts which they held demanding that power be switched on.