Kampala. Police officers and their families residing in Nsambya barracks have since October 14 been without power.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officers residing in the highly populated facility said the persistent darkness is a security threat.
“This barracks is very big with a very big populations. During the night, anything can happen. Police management should come to our rescue before we start experiencing crime,” a police constable said.
The officers also complained that they were unable to iron their uniforms and trim their beards.
“You know keeping an unkempt beard is a crime in service, so without power how does police management expect us to shave. Some people are fearing to report for duty because they are shabby,” another officer revealed.
Small businesses run by the officers’ spouses in the barracks have been affected by the power shortage.
Umeme speaks out
Umeme communications manager Stephen Illungole said Nsambya police barracks is part of government agencies connected on the prepaid metering system that is meant to eliminate accumulation of unpaid power bills.
“They [police] could be managing their credit by possibly not using power in non-critical areas, and saving it for only the core use as they wait for their next budget allocation,” Mr Illungole said.
“With prepayment metering, it is only customers who can disconnect themselves; it is no longer Umeme,” Mr Illungole added.
Last year, Umeme introduced the prepaid metering system to reduce power wastage in facilities run and owned by government agencies. Mr Illungole said the system has helped agencies to reduce their power consumption by Shs200m since last year.
Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima was not available to comment on the matter
By Daily Monitor
