KCCA to spend Shs 3 Billion On-street lightings in Kampala City
The Kampala City lord mayor, Elias Lukwago during his end of the year message said that KCCA intends to install approximately 35,000 smart street poles with 75% off-grid (solar) and 25% on-grid (Umeme) model next year to light the city.
“Its major priority is to improve security, mobility conditions and facilitate the development of the economy,” Lukwago said.
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Currently, KCCA is engaged in negotiations with the French Development Agency (AFD) for Shs3bn (£800,000) to implement the Master Plan Project of street lighting Kampala City.
A feasibility study was carried out by KCCA alongside AFD to determine the need to street light Uganda’s Capital City Kampala.
The Director Gender and Community Development KCCA, Harriet Mulondo said that as a result of the study they found a need to install lights on Kampala streets, markets, major walkways, for instance, Nakivubo Blue and Namirembe road among others.
“This project has an extended component that involves extending lights beyond streets into the communities,” Mulondo said.
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Continuing, Mulondo said that KCCA intends to install lights in Kampala slums, informal settlement areas to provide security for the safety of the City dwellers along with their businesses to increase productivity.
“With lighting, there is one common aspect and that is safety. Whether you are in a market or at home, the lighting means safety and that’s why when we put lights at home we call them security lights. But also the lights mean to increase productivity,” Mulondo said.
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“Instead of using traditional lamps for lighting, vendors in different communities will have sufficient light. This will help them work for longer hours yet in a safer environment due to the lighting,” Mulondo added.
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KCCA has so far installed over 1500 solar lights on Kampala streets in the last three years.
Divisional Mayors earlier this month, urged KCCA to extend lighting to communities such that crime rates are reduced and to provide safety for people’s businesses.
This was after the Divisional Mayors paid a visit to different divisions during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence identifying crime centres and they found out that dark areas which had no lights were harbouring criminal gangs. Excluding bars, cinema halls, and lodges.
Some of the dark spots identified in Kampala Central Division includes; Kagugube in Wandegeya, Kisenyi 2, Kifumbira zone in Kamwokya, Kajja at the old taxi park, Mini Price and areas around Nakivubo Channel.
In Makindye division, the team managed to identify places like Kasanvu zone, Kisuggu and Patel zone.
While in Nakawa Division, areas of Opio’s place, B133, Mu Kisenyi, Obama’s place were named.
