Poor Street Lighting Slows Kabale’s Night Economy

What the report says

Kabale Municipality’s night economy is being held back by poor street lighting and concerns about insecurity, according to traders and residents cited by Nile Post. The report says many businesses still close early in the evening because several parts of the town have remained dimly lit for more than three years, limiting movement and discouraging customers after dark. Residents described the town as much quieter at night than it once was, when some businesses reportedly stayed open until the early morning.

The article places the issue in Kabale town in southwestern Uganda, where only a small number of hotels, bars and other businesses remain open late. It says some residents believe the darkness has also made it easier for criminals, including suspected machete-wielding attackers, to target people living outside the town centre. At the same time, the piece notes that not everyone sees the situation as static: some residents say night-time events and more businesses operating after sunset suggest gradual improvement.

Local officials quoted in the report said the night economy is growing, helped by enforcement of trade rules, police night patrols and the town’s location near the border. Kigezi Region Police and the Deputy Resident District Commissioner both acknowledged, however, that inadequate lighting remains a major security concern. The issue matters because street lighting affects both public safety and the ability of businesses to extend trading hours, which can shape local jobs and evening commerce.