Power blackout threaten business in Mpumudde Sembabule district

21 July 2026, 11:11 pm

By Collins Ainomugisha

Business in Mpumudde trading centre in Kyeera subcounty, Sembabule district is on a standstill following the breakdown of the only transformer in the area, pushing residents into uncertainty after spending over four months without electricity.

Among the affected businesses, is metal fabrication, saloon, maize milling, and shops that relied much on refrigerators, according to residents most of whom are business people.

Amon Tumwesigye the district councilor for Kyeera subcounty in Sembabule district, said that the transformer broke down in late March 2026, noting that criminality has since been rampant due to the blackout, and parents are almost failing to raise school fees for their children because of low-income generation.

Mr Tumwesigye revealed that no positive response from relevant authorities has been made despite repeated calls for intervention. He said that he has reported the matter to the office of the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), and the area Member of Parliament for Rwemiyaga county, among others.

He urged residents to remain calm, while appealing to the district leaders to intervene and restore the transformer, so that the businesses can resume.

Efforts to reach out to the regional manager for UEDCL was unsuccessful, as his known contacts were unavailable by the press time.