Local business owners are feeling the strain of these frequent power outages. Nancy Aciro, a salon owner in Pader Town Council, expressed her frustration, stating, “The constant power outages are affecting my business significantly.” The unpredictable electricity supply has hindered her ability to operate essential equipment, impacting her revenue.
Milton Odongo, the Pader Resident District Commissioner, reported that two gunmen forcefully entered Moro's shop and demanded money from his sales. However, upon his assertion that the money had been banked, they shot at him.
The funds, scheduled to become operational in the upcoming financial year, will be utilized to construct essential facilities such as walkways, guardrails, and roads. These improvements are crucial for ensuring convenient access, visitor safety, and overall security within Aruu Falls.
According to Col. (Rtd) Obwoya, the firm commenced operating illegally without signing any memorandum of understanding with the lower local government and the district although they claim of having an agreement with the community members.
According to Odongo, he ordered the arrest of the suspects after receiving a complaint from the Paiula Sub County LC V councillor, Ballex Okello who was approached by farmers in his constituency who sought his intervention in the fraudulent acts.
Geoffrey Oyet, the Director of Bright Line Enterprises, who also doubles as the Association Chairperson, says that they resolved to increase the prices of their services and products including printing, scanning and photocopying due to a hike in the cost of raw materials by between 10 to 15 percent in the past few months.
Teddy Atenyo, a resident of Papir village, says that the crisis has now forced residents to share water with animals for drinking and cooking from unsafe sources.
The Executive Director of NAGRC Dr. Peter Baine condemned the arrests, saying the surveyors were implementing a recommendation from parliament to protect public land from unnecessary encroachment.
Ray Charles Okwir, the councillor representing Pader Sub County says that the decision is in response to the government's request for land to establish industrial parks in different parts of the country. The offered land covers part of the six villages of Agora, Biwang, Lalwal West, Lalwal East Lakwee and Lapeny in Kilak Parish, Pader Sub County.
RDC Dusman Okee ordered for the arrest of the three who were instantly picked up by armed personnel and taken to Pader Central Police Station where they had their statements recorded on allegations and sabotaging government programs.
They were contracted by the COVID 19 Taskforce to provide meals and security services for patients admitted at Kilak Corner Technical Institute which was gazetted as an isolation and treatment centre last year.
The PACMECs General Manager Isaac Odong says since the onset of the dry season in October last year the wild bushfires fires have caused unprecedented damage to electricity infrastructure, mainly electric poles and transmission wires.
Alfred Lam, the LCI Chairperson Pabit Village Alfred Lam says that some sub-county leaders illegally issue operating licenses for people in the charcoal business and trade.
Lucy Anena, a hotel owner in Corner Kilak in Pader district, says recently dozens of vehicles en-route to Lira City and Kitgum districts got stuck along the road.
