Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has issued a warning to contractors undertaking road construction and rehabilitation projects in Kampala against installing substandard streetlights. He expressed concern that many installations fail within three months, despite contractual maintenance obligations. Balimwezo emphasized that contractors are required to install streetlights and maintain them for at least one year. The warning was made while receiving a donation of streetlights from Signify, a lighting technology company.
The donation from Signify comprises 98 streetlights intended for seven markets across Kampala, including Nateete and Kasubi in Lubaga Division, St. Balikuddembe Market, Kalerwe Market, Ggaba Market, Nakawa Market, and Katwe Market. An additional 110 lights are expected to be installed in five informal settlements, representing each of Kampala's five divisions. These include Kazo-Angola in Kawempe, Kabaawo Zone in Lubaga, Mutungo in Nakawa, Kamwokya in Central Division, and Katwe II in Makindye.
The project will utilize tower-mounted solar-powered lights with capacities ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 lumens and 5,000 to 9,000 lumens. The installations are expected to illuminate areas within a radius of approximately 60 meters. Balimwezo also raised concerns about the vandalism of streetlights in different parts of the city, warning that those responsible would face legal action and could be required to compensate for the damage.
To address the issue of vandalism, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) intends to establish community street committees under the KCCA Act. These committees will help monitor public infrastructure, identify and report vandals, and track reckless drivers who knock down streetlights and flee without taking responsibility. Balimwezo emphasized that KCCA would not tolerate the destruction of public infrastructure.
KCCA Lighting Engineer Abdala Ssenyonjo noted that the engagement with Signify would provide the authority with a technical benchmark for selecting lighting products that meet the city's requirements. He said KCCA's streetlighting master plan identifies a need for approximately 42,000 streetlights across Kampala. The initial phase of the proposed intervention targets the installation of 10,000 lights, with KCCA hoping to work with Signify to advance the program.
Ssenyonjo acknowledged that inadequate streetlighting remains a major challenge in Kampala, saying improved lighting would contribute to making the city safer and more accessible. He added that with Signify on board, KCCA believes it will have better products for the city. The partnership aims to address the city's lighting needs and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.
The Signify Foundation, through the non-governmental organization Enlight, has funded electrical engineering training for young people from informal settlements. The trained youth are expected to acquire skills to help maintain and repair the donated lighting installations when necessary. Yue Cui, Director of the Signify Foundation, described the organization's lighting interventions in Uganda as rewarding and expressed optimism about expanding the partnership to reach more communities.
Key points
- Contractors are required to install streetlights and maintain them for at least one year.
- KCCA aims to install 10,000 streetlights in the initial phase of the proposed intervention.
- The project will utilize tower-mounted solar-powered lights with capacities ranging from 2,000 to 9,000 lumens.
