Mukono, Uganda – Tension gripped Kalagi-Kakoola town in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, on Wednesday morning as residents staged a violent protest over a power blackout that has dragged on for more than a month.
The residents accused the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) of removing the area’s transformer without replacing it, leaving homes, schools, and businesses in prolonged darkness.
Protest Turns Chaotic
Angry demonstrators blocked the busy Mukono–Kayunga road with logs and electricity poles, bringing traffic to a standstill. They vowed not to disperse until power was restored.
“We are tired of empty promises. Our children cannot study, and businesses are collapsing. We will not move until the transformer is returned,” one protester told reporters.
The situation intensified when residents impounded a UEDCL vehicle, demanding the transformer’s reinstallation before releasing it. Motorists heading to Kayunga were forced to turn back as the standoff escalated.
Security Response
Police and army officers from Naggalama, led by District Police Commander Edina Nyiraniza, were deployed to quell the unrest. Efforts to calm the crowd failed, prompting security forces to fire tear gas.
During the clashes, a woman was critically injured after being struck by a tear gas canister and was rushed to Naggalama Hospital for treatment.
Political Intervention
The protest, which lasted more than five hours, was eventually defused when area Member of Parliament Kiwanuka Abdallah Mulimamayuni intervened. He assured residents that their transformer would be restored immediately.
“The transformer will be brought back immediately. I ask you to remain calm and allow dialogue to continue,” the MP said.
Mulimamayuni also accused unnamed politicians of sabotaging UEDCL’s operations for political gain. “It has become a habit. Some leaders frustrate the company’s efforts so they can later claim credit when transformers are installed,” he added.
Community Concerns
Residents expressed frustration that the blackout had not only crippled businesses but also fueled insecurity in the area, leaving many fearful at night. They called on government authorities to investigate the delays and provide a lasting solution to the recurring power supply challenges.
By press time, calm had been restored, although police and army personnel remained deployed to monitor the situation.
