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Kigezi Farmer Counts Losses Over Power Cuts

Diamond Musinga says Umeme has continued to pay a deaf ear as he makes losses
Diamond Musinga angrily looking at his idle machine (Photo Credit Samuel Amanya-URN

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Diamond Musinga, a renowned cattle and poultry farmer in Kigezi region in South Western Uganda is counting losses following the failure of the Umeme to rectify power supply to his farm.

Musinga's farm located in Bubaare trading center in Rubanda district has been an inspiration to many farmers in KIgezi. It is known for rearing goats, dairy cows, Kuroiler chicken, and brooding chicks.

Musinga, as part of the efforts to boost productivity applied and got connected to a 3-phase meter power supply which he briefly used to run machines for making pellets and other animal feed. 

However, he told URN on Wednesday that the electricity connection was cut off following a fault in March this year and that it has never been rectified by Umeme despite constant reminders. 

Musinga says without a power supply, he can not produce the feeds as planned. He says he loses at least three million shillings every month because he can not run or operate the machines without electricity.

He said Umeme continues to charge the monthly standing charges even when he is not receiving the service.

//Cue in: “I am supposed…

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Musinga revealed that he has been forced to buy the feeds on the open market even when he has the skills, knowledge, and capacity to produce his own at a lesser cost. 

//Cue in: “I am losing…

Cue out: …need help.”//   

URN  contacted Umeme Kabale offices for a comment but officials said they were not authorized to speak to the media.

When contacted, Peter Kauju, the UMEME Head of Communications promised that the matter would be looked into.

//Cue in: “on the issue of… 

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Musinga’s concern comes at a time when a section of electricity consumers in Kabale are threatening to hold a demonstration against Umeme on Friday ver intermittent power supply in the district.  

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