The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Umeme has today launched a countrywide sensitization drive about dangers of illegal connections.
Speaking during the launch of the campaign at Umeme Mbale regional offices, Peter Kaujju, the Umeme public relations officer said that this exercise is going to reduce illegal power connections in the region and Uganda at large.
He added that they have launched the program in Mbale but it’s going to be rolled across the country as they move door to door telling people about dangers of illegal connection of power.
Trevor Higenyi, operations manager Umeme North Eastern region said that in 2016 before the launch of the operations on illegal connection, Bugisu region was leading countrywide with high cases of illegal power connection.
He added that they have been making losses of 60%, worth 34 billion shillings per year. But in case of Bugisu region, this has come down to 32% but still leading countrywide.
Higenyi also said that they are sure that this sensitization drive will reduce power theft cases to 10% or below which will be an achievement to them.
Michael Okutu, the Mbale Umeme manager claims that on a monthly basis, they get ten cases of people who are electrocuted in Mbale.
He urged the public to welcome the exercise saying that this will reduce cases of death ocassioned by illegal connections. Stephen Nandaya and Samuel Wewuda, both residents from Busamaga ward, Industrial city division in Mbale city embraced the excise but at the same time urged Umeme staff to expedite the exercise of connecting their customers if they apply, which has been tempting them to illegally connect power.
*****
URN
