UEDCL Unveils 100-Day Plan to Fix Power Issues and Improve Services

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has officially taken over power distribution from Umeme and has rolled out a 100-day action plan aimed at solving blackouts, speeding up customer connections, and improving the electricity network across the country.

The plan was shared during a public forum at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) offices. UEDCL's technical head, Protaze Tibyakinura, said the first 15 days were tough but the team is committed to delivering better services. He confirmed that starting next week, new electricity connections will begin, and materials have already been sent to regional offices. Outstanding applications from Umeme’s era will also be processed without extra charges.

To boost electricity reliability, UEDCL will inject about 500 new transformers nationwide by May to reduce overloading and outages. Larger projects, like extending the power grid and building new substations, are scheduled for May and June.

The company has already replaced 200 faulty transformers and rebuilt over 300 storm-damaged structures in just two weeks.

ERA Chief Executive Ziria Tibalwa Waako revealed that UEDCL has received $100 million (about 370 billion UGX) in funding to support grid improvements over the next nine months. She noted this is more than Umeme ever invested in a single year. The funds will be recovered through customer tariffs, and performance targets include cutting energy losses from 16% to 14.59% in 2025.

ERA also expects UEDCL to maintain revenue collection above 99.85%, using prepaid meters for homes and automated meters for industries. Government agencies will also switch to prepaid systems.

UEDCL’s new Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa, added that vending systems for buying electricity are now running well both online and through banks. He reassured the public that transformer repairs are ongoing and should be completed soon. Some had been down for over three weeks.

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He also pointed out that overloaded power lines are causing more failures. With support from the regulator and access to affordable funding, UEDCL is confident in delivering more stable power.

Meanwhile, Umeme’s exit comes after two decades of service, during which it increased power access from 5% to 57%, expanded power lines from 17,000 km to 44,000 km, and added thousands of transformers and substations. Revenue grew from 160 billion UGX to 2.5 trillion UGX, and energy losses dropped from 38% to 16%.

UEDCL says it will build on this foundation and push toward universal electricity access by 2030.