President Museveni has suggested that the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) adopt a simpler, easier-to-pronounce name, citing difficulties both for himself and the general public.
Speaking at a recent public event, the president admitted that he was still struggling with the company’s acronym, jokingly asking the audience for help.
“I do not even know what it is called now. I call it the former UEB. I cannot pronounce all those letters. Let them get a simpler name that’s easier to pronounce,” he said.
The comments come just months after UEDCL officially took over power distribution from Umeme Limited in May 2025, ending Umeme’s 20-year concession that began in 2005.
The decision not to renew the concession was heavily influenced by President Museveni, who criticized Umeme for keeping electricity tariffs high for both industrial and domestic consumers. The move is part of a broader government plan to regain full control over strategic utility sectors, with the goal of lowering tariffs and improving service delivery for Ugandans.
In his remarks, the president referred to the company as the “former UEB,” a nod to the now-defunct Uganda Electricity Board. UEDCL was established in 2001 as part of the unbundling of UEB into three separate entities;Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company (UETCL), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL)
UEDCL was assigned the mandate to own and manage the national electricity distribution network, even while Umeme operated it under concession for two decades. With the takeover, the company has now fully reassumed operations, bringing the sector back under state control.
Since UEDCL took over the electricity distribution role, many Ugandans have expressed frustration over the company’s complicated name
