The perennial power blackout in Nsambya Police Barracks in Kampala, will continue because the Ministry of Internal Affairs lacks money to sustain a constant power supply in the garrison.

Gen Jeje Odongo, the Internal Affairs minister told Parliament on Tuesday, that they need Shs1.46 billion every three months, to provide a stable electricity supply in the barracks yet the approved quarterly budget for all utilities like water in the garrison, is Shs640 million.

“Due to this financial constraint, there is therefore, no way we can avoid power blackout in Nsambya Barracks,” the minister said.

He was responding to a question that was raised last month by Nakaseke South Member of Parliament Mr Semakula Luttamaguzi, who told Parliament that police officers in the barracks had spent two months without electricity.

Gen Odongo said Uganda police needs at least Shs2 billion per quarter, to cater for electricity bills in all barracks across the country.

On August 2, Daily Monitor reported that several police barracks in Kampala were facing power and water shortage.

Police Spokesman, Mr Fred Enanga said then that water and electricity problems had been caused by technical issues in the accounts department leading to delays in the payment of utility bills.

He said the institution doesn’t have an accounting officer (under-secretary), who has to authorise payments.

Yesterday, sources in the barracks said that electricity and water supply had been restored.

They, however, expressed displeasure about the electricity supply because it is only available at night and switched off during the day.