Downtown Kampala was briefly a flashpoint for protests against Umeme loadshedding that has seen many printing businesses along Nasser and Nkrumah road idle for days due to the power cuts. Photo by Isaac Kasamani. 

 Protests against persistent loadshedding have spread to affect business along Kampala road from the City Square all the way along Nkrumah road to the railway yard. Business has come to a complete standstill as police engages a rowdy business community protesting the load shedding by Umeme.
Our Reporter, Richard Wanambwa, reports that Police had earlier clashed with the same group in the morning but Umeme responded fast and reconnected power. However, after barely two hours, Umeme disconnected the same areas forcing the business community to resume the demonstration outside their business premises.
Police has responded by firing live bullets and spraying tear gas to disperse the crowds that were gathering.
The business community is demanding for constant power supply .Umeme recently reintroduced the 24 hour load shedding programme that has affected the Central Business District in Kampala.
Traders operating on Nasser and Nkrumah roads in downtown Kampala have blocked both roads in protest of the Umeme 24-hour power load shedding that has left them counting heavy losses.
Traders have blocked the roads using garbage cans prompting police to fire live bullets and tear gas to disperse the protestors. The protestors also hurled stones at the officers thus engaging them in running battles.
Umeme announced a 24-hour power load shedding last week which traders say has pushed their business to the edge of collapse.
More details to follow shortly