Daily electricity load shedding in Kyenjojo town is forcing people out of business.
For the past fortnight Kyenjojo has had an unstable power supply. The electricity is turned off at 6 a.m. and it only returns at 10 p.m.
Electricity is new to Kyenjojo town. The national power grid was only extended there in April this year. Many new businesses have opened up since then, most of them taking advantage of the new power supply. Now residents who received the electricity with much joy have been left disappointed.
Ferdsult Engineering Services, the company managing the electricity line, announced that electricity would be turned off for two days to allow for repairs of a transformer at Kitumba sub-station in Fort Portal.
Michael Mpunga, the owner of Kyenjojo Family Shop, says he didn't expect the load shedding to last this long. He says the blackouts are causing a serious dent in his daily profits.
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Maureen Katushabe of Kyenjojo Stationery Shop, says she had not choice but to close her shop until the electricity supply is stabilized. She says she cannot afford or justify the use of a generator because the money she gets from the computer and photocopying services cannot pay for it.
Martin Tugume, chairperson of Kyenjojo Business Community, says the association has written to Ferdsult Engineering Services requesting an explanation for the load shedding, but it hasn't received a reply. He claims he has gone to the Ferdsult offices on several occasions, but they are always closed.
Mark Mwesigwa, the resident engineer of Ferdsult in Kyenjojo, could not be reached for a comment.
The LC5 chairperson of Kyenjojo, James Byamukama, says he has informed the Rural Electrification Agency to intervene in the matter.
