The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has connected 648,404 new customers to the national grid within six months of taking over operations from Umeme.
UEDCL Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa, revealed the figures during a State House Investors’ Protection Unit (SHIPU) meeting on Tuesday.
He said the number of connections has risen from 1,782,085 in April to 2,430,489.
Among other achievements, UEDCL recorded a sharp increase in grid-connected households from 1,687,267 to 2,327,898. Grid length expanded from 3,431 km to 5,140 km, while total installed generation capacity rose from 1,362 megawatts to 2,049 megawatts. Energy losses dropped from 19.1% to 16.8%.
“The government took a fundamental decision to take over all the privately operated concessionaires,” Mwesigwa said.
“That is a fundamental achievement; in that regard, the government has actually scored very well.”
Mwesigwa also commended the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) for accrediting UEDCL, saying it has enhanced the speed of making new connections.
The meeting, now in its fifth edition, was chaired by Uganda Development Corporation Executive Director, Mr. Patrick Birungi. It brought together heads of key agencies, including Benson Turamye (PPDA), Prof. Bruce Kirenga (Makerere College of Health Sciences), Desmond Tutu Opio (UECCC), Mr. Kule Walid (URSB), Edward Katende (UDF), and Osborn Turyasingura (Special Interest Groups Secretariat).
UECCC’s Opio highlighted efforts to expand renewable energy access, targeting 353,000 households by 2025. He said the entity has mobilised over USD 10 million from the World Bank and partners like GIZ and the Dutch government, deploying sh134 billion through 27 financial institutions and 87 solar companies.
Achievements include distribution of solar lanterns, home systems, biomass cookstoves, water pumps, and refrigerators in districts such as Mayuge and Pakwach.
At the meeting, PPDA’s Turamye flagged vandalism as a key challenge limiting access to electricity in rural areas. “It is a takeaway that needs follow-up,” he emphasised.
Kule praised UEDCL’s rapid progress: “The results are really encouraging and this great achievement needs to be publicised on all mass media for the government to be visible.”
Birungi urged wider public engagement. “By the end of this month, we shall have the economic forum on NBS TV, and in mid-October, we shall have the economic summit on NTV,” he said. He added that discussions with New Vision and UBC are underway to boost coverage of government development achievements.
