Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is marking two months since it took over from Umeme as the national electricity distribution company and today has made an accountability report in which it highlighted the milestones so far registered and the challenges it is encountering as it works to revitalize its network with a target to connect up to 225,000 new customers over the next eight months.
Mr. Jonan Kizza, Head of Corporate and Stakeholder Affairs, on behalf of UEDCL’s Managing Director, Mr. Paul Mwesigwa in a media briefing held at The Uganda Media Center said UEDCL has 100 service centers across the country and has started new connections, concentrating on three-phase and no-pole household connections.
To support this rapid scale up, UEDCL has fully activated its Njeru Training Centre, where staff are undergoing comprehensive training in business processes, change management, and cultural integration. With 96% of the new workforce onboarded in line with shareholder-approved structures, the remaining 4% will be recruited externally to strengthen specialized functions.
As part of a nationwide network rehabilitation effort, UEDCL has replaced all 116 faulty transformers inherited on April 1, 2025. The upgraded transformers, ranging from 25kVA to 1MVA, have significantly improved power reliability in affected communities. In tandem, the company has launched countrywide planned shutdowns to facilitate systematic infrastructure upgrades.
Kizza said that coordination with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) has enabled vital maintenance at key substations including Mutundwe, Namanve, Kawanda, Nkenda, and Mbarara North. “Our efforts may temporarily inconvenience consumers, but these are necessary steps to ensure a sustainable and dependable power supply for years to come,” said Kizza.
With a capital expenditure of $74 million (approx. UGX 274 billion) approved by ERA for 2025, UEDCL is focusing on refurbishing lines, establishing and upgrading substations, and installing over 518 new transformers in high-demand zones before year-end. These projects aim to create a resilient power distribution network capable of meeting Uganda’s growing energy needs amid rapid urbanization and industrial growth.
UEDCL has also launched round the clock customer service touchpoints and a centralized contact center. Customers can now access services and pay bills using mobile apps, telecom services, and online banking platforms.
“We are where our customers are on X, LinkedIn, YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram,” Kizza said and added , “we are committed to continuous engagement and responsiveness.”
Despite the momentum, UEDCL is grappling with a surge in vandalism and illegal connections, which are driving up operational costs and threatening public safety. In the first month of operations alone, nine incidents were reported in Nakasongola and Luwero, with additional cases in Mityana and Mukono. “These criminal acts have led to prolonged outages and tarnished the company’s image,” Kizza said.
To combat this, UEDCL is working closely with law enforcement and encouraging the public to report any suspicious activities through toll-free hotlines: 0800203088, 0800285285, and 0800385385. The company has also scheduled community barazas in hotspots such as Wabigalo, Kakoge, Katugo, and Nakasongola to foster local cooperation.
With an unwavering focus on reliability, efficiency, and safety, UEDCL says the first 57 days of its new mandate have been marked by resilience and a clear vision for long term success. “This is just the beginning,” concluded Mwesigwa.
“We ask for patience and support from all Ugandans as we invest in creating a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive power distribution network.”
He addd that UEDCL is currently faced with skyrocketing cases of vandalism and illegal connections which have increased operational costs and posed safety risks to the affected communities.
“In the first month of operation, UEDCL reported nine incidences in Nakasongola, Luwero, with additional cases in Mityana and Mukono. These actions have harmed the company’s reputation and resulted in extended power disruptions/outages. In response, UEDCL is working with law enforcement plus encouraging the public to report vandalism by calling our toll-free lines at 0800203088, 0800285285, and 0800385385, or by reporting it through the local authorities, police, army, or fourth estate” he stated
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) was formed in 2001 by the Electricity Act of 1999 as amended 2022, following the split of the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB). UEDCL’s mandate is to own all the electricity distributions network below 33kV across the country. In addition, UEDCL received a license for sale and distribution of electricity in Uganda on 31 December 2024.
