Increased Jinja city insecurity awakens residents' demand streetlights fixing

JINJA - Residents across several neighbourhoods in Jinja have urged the city authorities to urgently repair and install more streetlights to improve security and reduce nighttime crime.

The appeal comes after a series of thefts and assaults reported in poorly lit suburbs of Walukuba, Masese, Bugembe, Namulesa, Budondo, Mpummude Buwekula and Butagaya.

Other critical places named in the Central Business District (CBD) are the Jinja-Iganga and Jinja-Kamuli highways, which have greatly contributed to the insecurity.

Locals say some streetlights were installed during the city’s upgrade projects years back, but many have since stopped working, leaving roads in darkness.

Alice Naigaga, the head of the women's league in Mpummude, says the parish lacks security lights and that recently, the LC1 chairperson of Kalange road was stabbed by thugs who stole his belongings as he was moving back to his home.

“Once the sun goes down, we live in fear. Thugs take advantage of the darkness and even bodaboda riders fear passing through some streets at night," she said.

Fred Balikitenda, the secretary of Napier Market, says the market, which contributes close to shillings 30 million in taxes per month, lacks security lights and has become a haunt for drug (marijuana) sellers and siphoning of fuel sold to street kids.

“Most market vendors leave the market by 7:00pm due to fear of being attacked by people who are under the influence of drugs; this is making us lose out in businesses, yet we pay a lot of taxes,” he said.

Robert Mutabe, the chairperson of Kyomya village along Mutai-Buyala road in Budondo, said lack of lighting not only endangers lives but also affects businesses that operate late into the night.

“Many traders close early to avoid attacks, while others have resorted to using private generators and solar lights for safety,” he said.

The residents raised concerns on October 31, 2025, during the Jinja city budget conference aimed at getting stakeholders' proposals for inclusion in the draft budget for the financial year 2025/26.

Budget constraints

Jinja City Council officials acknowledge the challenge, citing budget constraints. Peter Alton Kasolo, the city mayor, said plans are underway to restore and expand the street lighting system.

“We are aware of the situation and have already begun assessments to identify nonfunctional lights. We have started on the installation of streetlights from the Police Barracks roundabout to Kamuli Road roundabout. The next phase of the project will include solar-powered streetlights, which are more sustainable along Kyabazanga Road (from Police roundabout to Amber Court roundabout),” Kasolo said.

Moses Otimong, the the Jinja City Clerk. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)

Kasolo also noted that in the coming financial year, they have planned to install security lights from Amber Court Roundabout to Wanganye, which borders Jinja district and from Jinja-Kamuli road through Mafubira, Namulesa, Nakabongo up to Mutai.

He added that Amber Court road, which connects to Mbulamti in Kamuli district, where the Government has already secured a contractor, will come with its own security lights.

Scepticism over promises

However, some residents remain sceptical, saying similar promises have been made before without visible results, demanding a clear timeline for the installation and maintenance of security lights across the city.

Jinja city clerk Mosese Otimong said they are also working closely with the United Cities of Local Governments Africa chapter, which will install 160 security solar lights in a period of seven months.

He noted that 55 lights will be installed in Magwa parish, while others along Paleke road in Zabef village in Walukuba West parish are aimed at curbing insecurity.

Otimong also said Jinja has 230km of roads in the CBD and that they have entered a strategic partnership with the Association of Africa Smart Cities Alliance with South Korea, where they are yet to sign a memorandum of understanding as part of Sustainable Development Goal 11.

The goal calls for smart cities with proper greening, infrastructure, beautification, proper waste management and livability.

George Mubiru, the assistant city commissioner, said the Joint Security Committee has a detailed plan to address the challenges.

James Mubi, the Kiira Police region spokesperson, urged the city authorities to work with local Police and private partners to ensure the streets are safe for all, especially during the festive season when crime rates tend to rise.