Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has attributed the ongoing nationwide power blackouts to years of underinvestment in the electricity distribution network, rampant vandalism, and widespread infrastructure decay.
Speaking at a press briefing held at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Jonan Kiiza, UEDCL’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said the disruptions are largely a result of gaps left when former power distributor Umeme halted investments in its final years of operation.
“We require investments, and the gaps came when Umeme stopped investing and were recouping from the power grid. That void has been big. The demand has been growing to close to 12.7%. The three-year void without investment means the user is now facing the consequences,” Kiiza stated.
He explained that 13 substations have already exceeded 80% of their operating capacity, placing the distribution system under significant strain and leading to frequent load shedding and unplanned outages.
Adding to the problem is the deteriorating physical infrastructure. According to UEDCL, over 47,000 utility poles across the country have been deemed rotten or structurally compromised.
“We see poles giving way. These are over 47,000 poles that need replacement,” Kiiza said, noting that some outages are the result of poles collapsing during adverse weather.
Additionally, vandalism has become a growing challenge for the utility. Kiiza revealed that at least five cases of infrastructure vandalism were recently recorded in the upscale Kololo area alone.
“We continue to see vandalism on our network. When this happens, areas go dark, and recovery takes time,” he said.
Kiiza also clarified that some blackouts are planned interruptions to facilitate ongoing grid maintenance and upgrades.
“When we invest in infrastructure, some work requires switching off the power. These are scheduled, but they still affect supply,” he explained.
Despite the current challenges, UEDCL says the government is actively addressing the situation. A multi-year grid rehabilitation and upgrade program is underway, aimed at replacing decaying infrastructure and improving system reliability to meet the country’s growing electricity demand.
As Uganda transitions from private to public electricity distribution, UEDCL faces the dual challenge of restoring public trust and revamping an overstretched power network.
