WE STILL NEED TWO YEARS; UECDL

Uganda is facing a prolonged period of electricity challenges following the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL)’s takeover of power distribution from Umeme in March. The transition has exposed serious weaknesses in the national grid, with UEDCL reporting that it inherited a network riddled with outdated and faulty transformers.

Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa attributed the ongoing power outages to these aging transformers, many of which are currently under repair, while new ones are being installed to help stabilise the system. She called for public patience, noting that full recovery may take up to two years.

To address the crisis, the government has approved a five-year power infrastructure rehabilitation plan, which will be largely funded through external borrowing. The minister warned that despite these efforts, the road ahead will be tough as the country works to improve the reliability of electricity supply.

Nankabirwa also raised concerns over widespread power theft and vandalism, revealing that 63 people have been arrested in recent months for illegal connections. She noted some success from the “Weetereze” campaign, which encourages voluntary disconnection of unlawful lines.

Complicating matters is the rapid increase in electricity demand, with over 1.7 million households now connected — a rise driven by the rollout of free electricity meters. This growing demand is further straining an already fragile grid.

Analysts caution that businesses and households should prepare for continued power disruptions. With infrastructure upgrades still years away, Uganda is likely to face ongoing blackouts and unreliable electricity supply in the near future