Operators of Small Micro Business Enterprises-SMEs in Gulu are being forced out of business because of power outages. Gulu has for the past three months been experiencing power blackouts that sometimes lasts for more than 72 hours.
The power outages have affected small scale businesses like saloons, grinding mills and document bureaus. Also greatly affected are artisans who deal in welding and servicing electronics.
Malik Kajura, a radio and television technician is one of those who have been affected by the power outages. Kajura a father of three says the outages have pushed him out of business as he can no longer ply his trade without power.
He says spending days without working has made him fail to raise money to sustain his family and to pay school fees for the children.
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Griffin Ochieng, who operates a computer document bureau, says they are considering shutting down business because of the high cost of running on a generator. He explains that sometimes power is off for three consecutive days which denies them business.
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Suleiman Sundagire Suna, a barber at Rock Unisex Saloon says they are making loses as they are forced to run their business on generator which is costly because of the high price of fuel.
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An effort to get a comment from Umeme was fruitless by the time of filling this report as the areas manager couldn’t be reached.
