If his words are to go by, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa has said it is all systems go for them to take over distribution of power in the country.
There has been skepticism over the ability by government to take over power distribution effectively after the expiry of the 20 year concession by Umeme.
On Monday, Umeme officially handed over to UEDCL .
Speaking during the function, UEDCL Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa said over the past two decades, UEDCL, has taken over five concessions, including Ferdisult Engineering Limited (2017), Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society (BECS, 2021), Pader Abim Community Multi-Purpose Energy Society (PACMECS, 2023), Kyegegwa Rural Energy Cooperative Society Limited (KRECS, 2024) and Kilembe Investments Limited (2024).
This, he said has given them enough experience to enable them handle the sixth concession by taking over from Umeme.
“Resultantly, business in all service territories taken over, has grown and services improved, making them sustainable. For example, when we took over Ferdisult in 2017, the electricity energy loss target was 28% and today, we stand at 18.1%,” Mwesigwa said.
He explained that their business philosophy involves around connecting the customer, making power available, managing energy losses, collecting the cash and promoting safety which according to Mwesigwa, are followed to the dot.
“ It is against these that UEDCL has been able to present itself as the trustable government of Uganda power utility that is going to turn around the power distribution space.”
In January, the Ministry of Energy granted UEDCL the electricity distribution and sale licenses to replace Umeme Ltd, effective April 1, 2025.
This came after government decided against renewing any expiring distribution licenses held by private companies, including Umeme's 20-year concession that expires today.
Speaking during the official handover from Umeme, UEDCL Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa said following the receipt of the two licences, they started preparing for the big task ahead.
To this, he said UEDCL has already commenced with all the critical procurements (network and non-networks) requirements needed to ensure business continuity after Umeme.
“ We are grateful that shareholders approved a staff structure of 2,712 in December. We immediately on January 6 2025 embarked on recruitments and as we speak today, at least 99.6% of the employees in respect of the above structure have been appointed, the 0.4% of about 11 employees will be done by close of business today,” Mwesigwa said.
“ On ICTs, all systems (in Umeme and UEDCL) shall be maintained. These are on our ledger and we shall continue deploying them until the time when we will merge them without interrupting service delivery. Buying electricity units and other services will remain uninterrupted through channels (MTN & Airtel), banks and other collection platforms. In addition to the above, all electricity units purchased by customers before Umeme’s exit shall remain valid even after Umeme’s exit.”
He said all offices previously run by Umeme Limited will remain open even after their exit.
"All cars, motorcycles, trucks, vans, SUVs, and other mobile equipment will all revert to UEDCL. Hon.
Ministers, the respective log books for all these are at UEDCL Tower and we shall ensure all are
reconciled before the last day."