Loadshedding leaves Kampala residents and businesses counting losses

What the report says

Frequent loadshedding in Kampala is leaving households and small businesses struggling with lost income, disrupted daily routines and higher operating costs, according to The Observer. The report says the outages are affecting several parts of the city, with residents in areas such as Kiganda near Mutungo describing repeated blackouts that make cooking, charging phones and lighting homes difficult.

The story also quotes Energy and Mineral Development Minister Monica Musenero, who addressed journalists at the Media Centre and acknowledged that power cuts are causing inconvenience and losses, particularly for businesses. She said rising industrial activity has increased pressure on the electricity grid and pointed to ongoing rehabilitation work on transmission lines, including the Kampala Metropolitan system improvement project. Musenero said power is expected to stabilise after August 8.

Business owners told The Observer that unreliable supply has reduced customer numbers and earnings. A salon operator said he has had to invest in backup equipment such as rechargeable clippers, a solar system and an inverter, but still cannot stay open for long when electricity fails. A video and music library owner said blackouts force him to close early because his services depend on computers and other electronic devices.

The report places the problem in a wider economic context, noting that repeated outages can lower productivity and deter investment. More broadly, the article reflects a familiar challenge in Uganda’s urban power supply: even where the grid exists, unstable electricity can quickly affect livelihoods, services and confidence in city life.