By Anzoo Evaline.

Leaders in Adjumani and Moyo districts have raised concern over unstable electricity power supply during stakeholder’s engagement in Adjumani district cautioning the office of the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL LTD) to address the challenges affecting consumers in the two districts.

Hon. Mangapi Lawrence, the LCIII Adjumani Town Council, expressed dissatisfaction with the low power voltage in Adjumani town, saying it is affecting small and medium industries that support the local economy.

“My concern is you have brought for us power and this power is not supporting sufficiently in town. Why? Because we have got small and medium industries around and this small and medium industries supports us so much in terms of multiplying money in this town. And now your power voltage is so low,” he said.

He added that Adjumani is almost at the border and has many interests, describing the town as now a metropolitan that needs stable and strong electricity to boost the economy.

“Please increase your power voltage. We need our industries to flourish so that our economy here is boosted,” Hon. Mangapi urged.

He also questioned the type of electricity poles being installed, saying the current pine poles are weak compared to the eucalyptus poles used in the past.

“The electricity poles you people are giving us are these poles made out of pines. And those days when we were young, the poles that are made are out of eucalyptus. Don’t we have eucalyptus now in Uganda? Why are you people interested only in pine poles and yet they are weak? Let’s get back to eucalyptus,” he said.

Hon. Dramwi Ceaser, LCIII Laropi Sub County, proposed a shift from wooden poles to concrete poles, arguing that bush fires are not hot enough to destroy concrete structures.

“Now the poles the temperature of heat that can destroy Concretes are not the one from bush fire it is much more that. So, we should advocate for changes of poles from this wooden pole to Concretes. If it can be done in other places, why not here?” he asked.

Hon. Kaijuka Arthur Richard, the District Vice Chairperson, also questioned the frequent power shutdowns whenever weather conditions change.

“When it is about to rain and the weather is critically changed, power automatically is switched off. Does the electricity in Adjumani and a Moyo behaves like hippopotamuses? Though they stay in the water but they don’t want rain water,” he said.

He further wondered about the difference between the poles used in the 80s and those used in the 2000s, noting that older poles could withstand nearby fires.

“I well remember the poles in the 80s even if fire passes nearby it doesn’t catch fire. But these days the poles easily get the fire we are seeing. What is the difference? Don’t we think it is what is you are using that’s killing the poles?” he asked.

In his response, Noeline Biribonwa, the Senior Stakeholders and Engagement Officer UEDCL, defended the use of concrete poles and called on the public to report power challenges.

“Concrete poles. Concrete poles. We have concrete poles. We have called the network. But remember constant subjection to fire. It’s not once in a month but constant subjection will cause an error at the end of the day,” she said.

She urged residents not to keep quiet whenever there is low voltage or other supply issues.

“When you are off, report. Don’t keep quiet. When you keep quiet, we only monitor this high voltage. That is what is on our schedule. The moment it goes off, I get alert. But when it is on low voltage, that one that supplies your home. Unless you say it, we shall not know. So, do the reporting,” she advised.

The leaders now want UEDCL LTD to improve power voltage, review the type of poles being installed, and ensure stable electricity supply to support development and economic growth in Moyo and Adjumani districts.

END.