In a move to enhance safety and beautify Arua City, 100 solar-powered streetlights have been successfully installed under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project.
The lights are now brightening up three major streets in the central division: Go Down Road, Pajulu Road (Ediofe Cathedral Road), and Arua Avenue Road.
Each solar streetlight pole comes equipped with a lightning arrester, an inbuilt solar panel, and an earthing system, ensuring efficient functionality. The initiative aims to provide well-lit public spaces, promoting both safety and a visually appealing environment.
The introduction of these solar lights has generated excitement among residents who previously expressed concerns about safety in poorly lit areas. The solar lighting project is seen as a welcome solution to such challenges.
Arua City Mayor, Sam Wadri Nyakua, revealed that the installation cost over 1.4 billion shillings. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in safeguarding the newly installed lights, not only for security reasons but also to maintain the city’s aesthetic appeal during the night.
Mayor Wadri said that Arua City was among the first local governments to benefit from the USMID program in 2013, with the primary goal of improving the performance of urban councils for better service delivery.
Other cities that have benefited from this program include Lira, Gulu, Soroti, Entebbe, Mbale, Tororo, and Jinja.