The inaugural Africa Electricity Symposium has officially opened in Uganda’s capital Kampala with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Ruth Nankabirwa, calling for policy shifts to cultivate public-private partnerships and application of technology to ensure universal access to reliable and affordable electricity on the African continent.
“The objective of these policies should be tailored at ensuring that our energy sector is both sustainable and inclusive, thereby providing opportunities for all Ugandans to access electricity and benefit from its transformative potential,” Nankabirwa told the well attended summit .
“We are not building an energy sector for today. We are building one for the next generation. That is why we must integrate artificial intelligence, digital grids, battery storage, and energy informatics, and we look to you in academia to lead the way, “ she explained .
“Together, let us electrify not only Uganda but the entire African continent,” she stressed.
The government’s strategic objectives include diversifying energy sources, establishing equitable electricity tariffs, improving rural accessibility, and utilising electricity as a fundamental driver of development.
Minister Nankabirwa called for the cultivation of public-private partnerships and encouraged academic institutions to contribute relevant studies and climate data to attract international investment for Uganda and Africa.
Nankabirwa was accompanied by Eng. Pauline Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development MEMD and Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the CEO of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA).
Eng. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, underscored the significance of this transformation by stating, “With the conclusion of Umeme’s concession, UEDCLTD will now undertake responsibilities for electricity distribution. This situation represents an opportunity to establish a model that is more accountable, cost-effective, and centred on the public interest,” she said.
The summit also highlighted Uganda’s collaborative efforts with neighbouring countries to develop high-voltage interconnections and promote regional power trading, fostering peace and prosperity within the region.
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority said thus , “Africa is experiencing reforms in electricity delivery, rendering it more reliable, affordable, and sustainable. These advancements will support various industries and generate employment opportunities for our increasing youth demographic,” she added.
,”The summit is being organized under the theme, “Powering Africa: Smart Innovation and Sustainable Energy for Growth.”
The Africa Electricity Symposium (AES) is a premier event for energy professionals, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, energy enthusiasts and innovators from across the continent and beyond.
It is aimed at driving advancements in electricity infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and smart grid technology across Africa, creating sustainable solutions for the continent’s growing energy needs.
During a panel discussion , Dr. Geoffrey Okoboi the Director Economic Regulation at ERA said ,“As ERA Uganda, we are not sitting idle. Countries are actively working to diversify their energy mix. If each of us can specialize based on our strengths, we can build a more resilient regional energy system. We’re engaged and driving these efforts forward.”
CPA. Edward Iruura explained in simple terms the differences between traditional corporate financial reporting systems and regulatory financial reporting to ensure fairness ,transparency and cost effectiveness to benefit the last mile .
“ In essence, corporate finance and regulatory finance are two sides of the same coin applied differently. Modified rules, often aligned with regulatory frameworks rather than IFRS, govern cost allocation, asset valuation, reconciliation, and data integrity, thereby supporting tariff setting, incentivizing efficiency, and enabling performance tracking in the sector , he stated .
Ignacio Perez Arriaga noted that when supported by the government, properly incentivized ,and well placed with in appropriate legal frameworks –concession can be a useful tool for attracting private resources , managerial expertise , and technical know-how to address the enormous challenge of rural electrification.
Mr. Vianney Mutyaba told the delegates that ERA with its lifeline tarrif is protecting the low income earners who must be brought into the distribution network to ensure electricity access for all .
Background- Uganda’s energy journey
Over the past two decades, Uganda’s energy sector has experienced substantial transformation, with electricity access rising from 7% in 2001 to over 60% in the present day.
Currently, the country’s generation capacity is approximately 2,048 megawatts, with peak demand reaching over 1,160 megawatts.
The transmission network has expanded to over 5,100 kilometres, while distribution lines now exceed 52,000 kilometres, thus connecting homes, educational institutions, health facilities, and small enterprises.
Pursuant to the newly implemented Energy Policy 2023 and the national Vision 2040, Uganda seeks to increase its generation capacity to 52,000 megawatts by the year 2040.
