Kampala Plunged Into Darkness as Poor Funding Cripples Street Lighting

Nighttime in Kampala has increasingly become a cause for concern as persistent funding gaps leave significant portions of the city shrouded in darkness. Lawmakers on the parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) recently learned that out of 7,405 street lights across the five divisions, only 5,858 are currently functional, accounting for roughly 79 percent.

Chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, the committee was informed that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) requires a minimum of Shs4 billion annually to keep the city’s street lighting system operating at full capacity. Without these necessary resources, maintenance suffers, leaving hundreds of bulbs dead and neighborhoods exposed.

Security experts note that the widespread darkness severely compromises the safety of pedestrians. Criminal elements have increasingly taken advantage of poorly lit streets to rob, mug, and assault unsuspecting citizens under the cover of night, confident in their ability to escape unseen.

As the authorities grapple with budget constraints, residents and city dwellers continue to bear the brunt of the security risks posed by the ongoing power and lighting failures. Lawmakers are under pressure to find sustainable financial solutions to illuminate the city and protect the public.

Read the original story on Daily Monitor.