Residents of Nakasongola District are raising alarm over persistent power outages, describing the electricity supply as erratic and unreliable.
In what locals now sarcastically refer to as “disco light” electricity, power goes off and on multiple times a day sometimes as many as 13 times disrupting daily life and endangering livelihoods.
“It’s like we’re living in a nightclub with flashing lights,” lamented a local resident known as Musiraamu, also referred to by locals as Musiraamu arms.
“Most days, power goes off completely during daytime. Then when it comes back around 7 PM, it behaves like a disco light on and off the whole night until morning.”
According to Musiraamu, the situation was “fair” before the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) took over the distribution in the area. “Ever since UEDCL came in, things have only gotten worse,” he said.
The outages have dealt a heavy blow to small business owners, particularly those whose work depends on a steady power supply.
“I sell chips, but those who do welding and sell cold drinks are the ones suffering the most,” said Jamimah, a food vendor in Nakasongola town.
“Every day they are forced to buy fuel for generators. Others have to buy ice to keep their drinks cold, which eats into their profits,” she added.
The consequences of the power instability go beyond business losses. Residents say the darkness has emboldened criminals, with an increase in phone snatching and violent thefts in poorly lit areas.
“These thieves hide in dark corners, beat up people, and take their phones and bags,” Jamimah added. “Even boda boda riders are being targeted—they lose their motorcycles to thugs who take advantage of the darkness.”
Residents have also raised concerns about a growing number of conmen who are targeting parked vehicles by removing their number plates.
The fraudsters then leave behind their phone numbers, prompting car owners to call them. Once contacted, the conmen demand money in exchange for returning the stolen number plates.
Community members are now demanding urgent intervention from authorities to stabilize electricity supply, warning that the worsening situation is creating insecurity, economic distress, and fear among residents.
As frustration grows, Nakasongola residents continue to question when they will receive the reliable electricity service they deserve—or whether the “disco light” will keep playing on.
However, on Wednesday, UEDCL attributed the outages to vandalism of electricity lines as well as ongoing maintenance works on the line.
