In a significant display of progress since taking over from the private concessionaire Umeme Uganda Limited, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has added a remarkable 648,404 new connections to the national grid in just six months.
This achievement, revealed today by UEDCL’s Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa at a State House Investors’ Protection Unit (SHIPU) meeting, signifies a major expansion in electricity access and underscores the government’s success in managing the power distribution sector.
The total number of customers on the grid, according to Mwesigwa, has surged from 1,782,085 to 2,430,489 since UEDCL’s takeover in April 2025.
Increase in Key Performance Indicators
Mwesigwa revealed that UEDCL’s performance review highlights several key achievements that reflect a revitalised energy sector under government control, and these include:
Household Connections
The number of grid-connected households has grown from 1,687,267 to 2,327,898. This substantial increase indicates a significant improvement in access to electricity for Ugandan families.
Energy Losses Reduced
The company has managed to bring down energy losses from 19.1% to a low of 16.8%, a crucial step in enhancing operational efficiency and revenue collection.
Infrastructure Expansion
The national grid has expanded significantly, with its length increasing from 3,431 km to 5,140 km. This expansion is critical for reaching previously unserved areas.
Increased Generation Capacity
Uganda’s total installed generation capacity has seen a notable increase from 1,362 megawatts to 2,049 megawatts, ensuring a more robust and reliable power supply to meet the rising demand.
The government’s decision to take over from private concessionaires was hailed as a “fundamental achievement” by Mwesigwa, a view supported by other government officials at the meeting.
Strategic Collaborations and Future Outlook
The meeting also brought to light strategic collaborations and plans for the energy sector. Mwesigwa lauded the accreditation from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) for speeding up the connection process.
In turn, Benson Turamye, the Executive Director of PPDA, highlighted the persistent challenge of vandalism, which continues to affect power access, especially in rural areas, underscoring the need for a follow-up action plan.
Furthermore, Desmond Tutu Opio from the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) shared the company’s vision to promote renewable energy and reduce the use of biomass for cooking.
He noted that UECCC, with funding from the World Bank and other European partners, has deployed over Shs134 billion to subsidise Ugandans on renewable energy equipment, including solar lanterns, home systems, and water pumps, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to addressing Uganda’s energy needs.
In conclusion, the key government officials, including the host of the meeting, Patrick Birungi, the Executive Director of the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), emphasised the need for widespread public communication of these successes.
They announced plans to intensify information dissemination through television, radio, newspapers, and digital platforms to ensure the public is well-informed of the government’s progress and achievements in the energy sector.