Wakiso, Kampala residents demonstrate over load-shedding

By Joseph Balikuddembe

Traffic along Kampala-Gayaza Road on Tuesday morning came to a standstill as angry residents of Wampewo in Wakiso district closed the Road in protest over power blackout.

Two vehicles were smashed by the rowdy protesters before Police swung into action to remove the illegal blockade mounted by the protestors.

Residents accuse UMEME, the power supplier of rampant load-shedding that has affected a number of businesses in the area.

Police have deployed heavily in the area and the situation is back to normal.

In a related development, residents of Wankulukuku a Kampala suburb on Tuesday morning threw big stones and tree branches in the Road protesting lack of power for the last 2 weeks.

Police detained two people in connection to a demonstration that lasted for an hour.

 

 Nasser Road traders protest over power cuts in November. File Photo

Traders and domestic power users in different parts of country have on several occasions demonstrated over power cuts.

In November last year, city traders along Nasser Road protested UMEME’s 24-hour load-shedding of their work places which they said resulted in heavy loses.

The traders closed their shops and blocked Nasser and Nkuruma Roads using garbage cans and tires which prompted police to fire live bullets and tear gas to disperse the traders.

Still in November, a demonstration organized by former Oyam South MP Issa Otto against power black-out by UMEME in Lira town turned chaotic as Police confronted the demonstrators, sprayed them with teargas and live bullets.

The demonstration headed by Otto and former Erute North legislator, Charles Angiro Gutomoi started with few people from Jinja camp near UMEME power sub-station but the police confronted them tearing Angiro`s placard.

Angiro, Otto, Mike Adoko, Patrick Omara, an FDC spokesman from Oyam district engaged the police in a verbal exchange when they were stopped and advised never to continue with the match.