The spotlight of Africa’s energy future is firmly fixed on Kampala as the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) proudly hosts the Africa Electricity Symposium 2025, kicking off tomorrow at the Mestil Hotel.
This landmark event, sponsored by UETCL under the leadership of Joshua Karamagi, the Chief Executive Officer, brings together an unparalleled gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers, poised to accelerate the transformation of Africa’s energy landscape, with profound implications for Uganda’s economic development.
UETCL’s enthusiasm for this symposium underscores its critical role as Uganda’s national bulk electricity purchaser and the sole authorised electricity importer and exporter.
“Over the next decade, we will focus on completing the 400KV national transmission backbone, which will serve as the spine of Uganda’s power system,” Karamagi, who will be a keynote speaker at the symposium, contends.
“We will deepen our regional interconnections to drive cross-border electricity trade, explore innovative financing models including public-private partnerships to accelerate project delivery,” he adds, noting that the government’s main objective is to strengthen internal governance to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.
As the custodian of the country’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure, UETCL is at the forefront of ensuring a stable and reliable power supply, a fundamental prerequisite for any nation’s economic progress.
Vital Move for Uganda’s Energy Sector
Uganda, despite its abundant energy resources, primarily hydropower, faces significant challenges in its energy sector.
While there has been progress in generation capacity (from 290 MW in 2000 to nearly 1350 MW currently), access to electricity remains low, with only about 30% of the population connected to the national grid and a stark 7% in rural areas.
High electricity tariffs, an over-reliance on hydro-power (making it vulnerable to climate fluctuations), an inadequate and ageing transmission and distribution infrastructure, plus limited investment in diverse renewable sources (like solar and geothermal), continue to hinder universal access and industrial growth.
The Uganda Energy Transition Plan (ETP), launched in December 2023, aims to achieve universal access to electricity and cleaner cooking by 2030, modernise and diversify the energy mix, ensure secure and affordable supply, and mitigate emissions.
Meeting these ambitious goals requires substantial investment, estimated at over US$800 million, about Shs2.8 trillion annually, far exceeding current funding.
What’s in it for Uganda’s Energy Sector
The Africa Electricity Symposium comes at a crucial time for Uganda, offering a unique platform to address these challenges and seize opportunities, some of which include:
Attracting Investment and Financing
The symposium is a powerful magnet for both public and private sector investors. Discussions on Finance and Investment for Electricity, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for energy infrastructure development, and Innovative financing models for electrification and energy expansion will directly address Uganda’s need for significant capital to expand its grid, upgrade infrastructure, and develop new power projects.
Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building
By bringing together “industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers,” the symposium facilitates invaluable knowledge sharing.
Ugandan stakeholders, including UETCL personnel, will gain insights into cutting-edge technologies like smart grids, AI in power operations, battery energy storage, and advanced farming techniques.
Regional Integration and Trade
Topics such as ‘Regional Power Markets and Infrastructure Security’ and ‘Cross-border electricity trade and regulatory harmonisation’ are vital for Uganda.
As a country with surplus hydropower generation, improving regional interconnectivity allows Uganda to export more electricity, generating crucial foreign exchange and strengthening its position as an energy hub in East Africa.
Diversifying the Energy Mix
The symposium’s focus on ‘Decentralised and Off-Grid Energy Solutions’ and ‘Energy Transition, Sustainability, and Carbon Financing’ provides opportunities for Uganda to explore and attract investment in solar, geothermal, and other renewable sources.
This diversification is key to reducing reliance on hydropower, enhancing energy security, and achieving sustainability targets.
Policy and Regulatory Dialogue
The presence of policymakers will foster critical discussions on ‘Policy, Regulation, and Governance in the Power Sector.’
This dialogue is essential for creating an enabling environment that attracts private sector participation, balances affordability with investment incentives, and addresses challenges in implementing renewable energy policies.
Accelerating Economic Transformation
Reliable and affordable electricity is the bedrock of economic transformation. For Uganda, increased electricity access and improved quality of supply will:
Boost Industrialisation
Powering manufacturing, agro-processing, and industrial parks, creating jobs and adding value to raw materials.
Enhance Productivity
Improving efficiency in businesses, reducing operational costs, and extending working hours.
Attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
A stable and growing energy sector makes Uganda a more attractive destination for international investors.
The Africa Electricity Symposium 2025, hosted by UETCL, is far more than just a conference; it’s a strategic convergence point that will illuminate pathways for Uganda to overcome its energy challenges, attract vital investments, and ultimately power its ambitious journey towards comprehensive economic transformation.