Umeme blames constant power outages on wire theft

Electricity distribution company, Umeme has blamed constant power outages within Gulu Municipality and the surrounding areas on theft of pole support wires.
The power distribution company on Monday said supply to the region has been affected by performance of Tororo-Opuyo transmission line, theft of the pole support wires, the harsh weather conditions during the rainy season, among others.

“To mitigate the outages, Umeme and Uganda Electricity Transmission are up upgrading the power transformer at Gulu substation from 2.5MVA to 5MVA. The installed capacity increased to 7.5MVA with existing demand of 5MVA. We are also upgrading Gulu Feeder to evacuate the Achwa Hydro Power Plant through Gulu substation,” reads part of the statement issued by Umeme.

READ:

Gunfire rocks Gulu town as police, army battle protestors

The protestors led by Kilak South Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya and Aruu County legislator Samuel Odonga Otto argue that the constant power outage has been affecting their businesses

The statement comes just hours after police and soldiers were on Monday forced to fire live bullets and teargas to disperse a group of local businessmen and politicians protesting against constant power outages in Gulu town and the surrounding areas.

The protestors led by the area MPs said there have been constant power outages within Gulu town and other neighbouring areas in the District.
“If power blacks out in Gulu, all the districts in the region are affected since Gulu is the central business district for Acholi Sub-region,” said Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya.

However, his Aruu County counterpart, Samuel Odonga Otto said there was an urgent need to throw out the power distribution company “because they have failed to deliver as expected.”