Kalagi Parish in Mukono District is buzzing again after two weeks of darkness that had crippled businesses and household livelihoods.
The blackout, caused by a faulty transformer, had left residents and traders in frustration until former State Minister for Water and current NRM flag bearer for Mukono North, Ronald Kibuule, stepped in to secure a replacement.
The new transformer, with a higher capacity than the old one, was installed this week by a team from UEDCL under Kibuule’s supervision, bringing much-needed relief to a community that had resorted to protests over prolonged loadshedding.
Local enterprises bore the heaviest brunt of the outage.
“We lost crates of soda and juice worth hundreds of thousands because the fridges were off for days,” said Jamir Kakooza, a trader running a beverage center in Kalagi.
“The new transformer is a huge relief, but the losses we suffered will take time to recover.”
Carpenter Yonah Sserunkuma echoed the concerns, noting that the blackout had forced him to halt operations despite customer orders piling up.
“Most of my machines depend on electricity. I had to close the workshop and send away workers. This put a dent in my business reputation,” he said.
According to residents, appeals to the sitting Member of Parliament yielded no tangible response, with some leaders suggesting protests as a way of pressuring the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).
Many residents, however, dismissed the call as risky and counterproductive.
Kibuule’s Intervention
On Wednesday, tensions reached a peak as residents attempted to stage a protest, prompting police to disperse crowds with teargas.
Kibuule then intervened, urging calm and promising a practical solution through his networks. Within hours, the new transformer arrived.
In a symbolic gesture that further cemented his presence in the community, Kibuule stayed on site for nearly five hours as the installation took place, celebrating with residents once power was restored.
“This is not the first time he has helped. Communities often reach out to him when they face power issues,” said Jimmy Katumba, a resident who joined others in praising Kibuule for what they called “a visible solution instead of rhetoric.”
Bigger Picture: Power and Local Economy
Mukono District’s economy depends heavily on small-scale traders, agro-processing ventures, workshops, and retail businesses — all of which rely on a stable power supply.
Energy experts note that faulty transformers and prolonged blackouts not only disrupt household comfort but also stifle growth for entrepreneurs.
In Kalagi, the two-week blackout served as a stark reminder of how vulnerable small communities are to energy infrastructure failures.
For many traders, electricity is the backbone of their operations, and even short interruptions translate into significant losses.
With elections looming in 2026, Kibuule’s proactive approach has set him apart as a figure who not only leverages political influence but also demonstrates responsiveness to the economic concerns of his constituents.
For Kalagi residents, the lights are back on — and with them, renewed hope that their livelihoods will not be dimmed by poor infrastructure.
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