Wakiso, (UG):- Residents of Mbalwa Trading Centre, Namungongo Division, Kira Municipality in Wakiso District have applauded UMEME for the quick restoration of power to the area after Thursday’s makeshift market fire outbreak.
Small Business operators yesterday woke up in shock and tears after fire razed the wooden structures they were operating in, destroying all their properties and stock. The fire is said to have emanated from the transformer which was above the Market, leaving the area in a blackout.
In response, UMEME arrived at the scene at around 10:00 am on Thursday, uninstalled the burnt transformer and poles which left the residents worried about the next days of darkness. However, UMEME’s act has left the residents’ tongues wagging, and a number of those who spoke to DailyExpress, say in many such incidents areas have spent days, weeks or even months without power.
Mr Mutembeya Micheal commonly known as Black, a businessman who operates a shop and pork joint in the area said, “Nobody expected power to be restored on the same day”. He added, “It was at 10:00 pm that the installation of the new Transformer started and by 11:30 pm Mbalwa was lighting again to everyone’s surprise”.
Meanwhile, the re-establishment of the traders still lies in balance, if the owners of the land are going to allow them to reconstruct their stalls to resume business.
According to Black, “The traders are supposed to meet with the owners of the land to know whether they will be allowed to operate or not”.
As reported on Thursday, some of the people this publication interacted with, said this could have been malice, to chase away the traders because they had severally been warned to leave the area because of the transformer.
The affected area was a business hub for over 60 people including kiosk owners and workers. The area was hosting, charcoal sellers, chapati makers, food vendors, and at the back, men were using it as a leisure park in their free time.
At the time of filing this story on Friday afternoon, there was a planned meeting between the traders and the owners of the land.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: dailyexpressug@gmail.com Or follow the Daily Express on X Platform or WhatsApp for the latest updates.
