Kalangala residents are protesting plans by Kalangala Infrastructure Services Limited-KIS to start installing a multi million shillings thermal and solar power plant without displaying the agreements relating to the project. The thermal power plant that is meant to serve residents of Bugoye Island is to be hosted at Bukuzindu sand Reserve in Mugoye Sub County.
KIS has sub- contracted Furdsult Engineering Services Limited to undertake the installation of the thermal power plant which is meant to supply power to Bugoye Island. John Opiro, the Managing Director KIS says that they have already started clearing the site for the power plant. The thermal power plant is part of the four projects worth 50 million US dollars being undertaken by KIS in Kalangala district.
The other projects include the operation of ferry services, clean water supply and the rehabilitation and expansion of Bugoma-Kalangala road. However, the decision by KIS to go ahead with the project without displaying the agreements it signed with government has angered residents.
Led by Kalangala NGO forum, the residents argue that they were not consulted by both parties before the agreements were signed. But John Opiro, the Managing Director KIS says that his company will not display the agreements as demanded by the residents, saying that he is only accountable to government which contracted him.
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He faults Kalangala district authorities for failing to sensitize the residents yet the LC V chairman Willy Lugoloobi received copies of the agreements.
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The decision by KIS to refuse to display the agreements has angered several residents. Deo Lukomwa, a resident of Kalangala says that since KIS was clandestinely awarded the contracts, they will be left at the mercy of company.
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Willy Lugoolobi, the Kalangala LC V chairman has confirmed receiving copies of the agreements and promised to hold meeting with KIS before moving out to meet residents. He says that residents fear that the failure by government to consult them could lead to problems between them and the company.
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