A 35-year-old man has died after being electrocuted in Kabalagala, Kisasizi Parish, in an incident that has left the area without power since Monday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Dominic Olwoy, a construction helper and father of five.
According to an eyewitness who preferred anonymity, Olwoy had just returned home and was from taking a shower when the incident occurred.
‘He came back in the evening and after bathing and went straight to pick his clothes from a wire mesh. That is when he got electrocuted,’ the witness said.
Residents say Olwoy was first rushed to Ken Medical Clinic before being referred to Kibuli Muslim Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Kabalagala Parish chancellor-elect, Isa Bin Ismail, said the tragedy highlights the dangers associated with illegal electricity connections in informal settlements.
‘Here in slum areas, it is very difficult for most houses to have electricity meters. Many people connect power directly from electric poles unlawfully. When they are asked, they say getting power legally takes time and is expensive,’ he said.
Mr Ismail noted that Olwoy is the fifth person to die from electrocution in the area, although previous cases have largely gone unreported.
‘This is not the first case. Olwoy is the fifth to succumb to such incidents, but most of them have not been brought to the attention of the media,’ he added.
Local leaders have called on both landlords and the government to intervene.
The area vice chairperson, Hawa Ali, urged landlords to ensure proper electricity connections for their tenants, saying illegal wiring puts lives at risk.
‘Landlords should take responsibility and ensure power is connected the right way. This will help prevent loss of life. The government should also ease the process of acquiring electricity legally because the current system discourages many people,’ she said.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the deceased’s landlord were unsuccessful by press time.
Olwoy’s body is expected to be transported to Tororo District for burial.
The incident has also disrupted businesses, with traders reporting losses due to the ongoing blackout.
A local businessman dealing in fresh chicken, who also preferred anonymity, said his stock had gone bad due to lack of refrigeration.
‘I had just brought in stock yesterday, but everything has gone bad because there is no power,’ he said.
Residents further revealed that electricity in the area had been informally supplied by a man identified as Musa, who allegedly collected money from households before connecting them illegally. He is said to have fled the area following the incident, and his known phone numbers are switched off.
Local leaders said a meeting with officials from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is expected this week to address the power outage and discuss safer, legal connections.