Balimwezo warns contractors against installing substandard streetlights

What the report says

Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has cautioned contractors working on city road projects against installing poor-quality streetlights, saying some fail within a few months even though contracts require maintenance for at least a year. He raised the concern while receiving a donation of streetlights from Signify, the lighting company formerly known as Philips Lighting, as part of a project to improve security and public lighting in markets and informal settlements across Kampala.

According to The Independent Uganda, the donation includes 98 streetlights for seven markets, among them Nateete, Kasubi, St. Balikuddembe, Kalerwe, Ggaba, Nakawa and Katwe. Another 110 lights are planned for five informal settlements across the city’s divisions. Balimwezo also warned against vandalism and said KCCA may use community street committees to help monitor infrastructure and report offenders. He said those damaging public lighting could face legal action.

KCCA lighting engineer Abdala Ssenyonjo said the engagement with Signify would help the authority set a technical benchmark for future purchases. He said the city’s lighting master plan calls for about 42,000 streetlights, with an initial phase targeting 10,000. The report also said Signify Foundation and the NGO Enlight have supported electrical training for youth from informal settlements so they can help maintain the installations. More broadly, the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to improve nighttime safety, access and movement in Kampala, where inadequate lighting remains a persistent issue.