Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced an ambitious plan to connect 225,000 new customers to the national grid over the next eight months just 57 days after it officially resumed full distribution operations under its new license granted on December 31, 2024.
Speaking from the UEDCL headquarters in Kampala, Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa said the company is working at full throttle, already carrying out three-phase and no-pole household connections since mid-April.
"The meters are in stock, the teams are on the ground, and the system is fully digital. There is no need for brokers anymore people can apply online directly,” he emphasised.
UEDCL has 100 service centers operational across the country, and 96% of its newly hired staff have already been deployed. The remaining 4% will be sourced externally. At its Njeru training center, staff are undergoing rigorous training in technical and customer service disciplines to align with the company’s revamped service culture.
The power utility has also completed a massive overhaul of its aging infrastructure. "All the 116 faulty transformers we inherited on April 1 have been replaced,” Mwesigwa confirmed.
“These ranged from 25kVA to 1MVA and their replacement has stabilised power supply in key regions.”
To further boost reliability, UEDCL is coordinating with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) on planned maintenance shutdowns across major substations including Mutundwe, Namanve, Kawanda, Nkenda, and Mbarara North.
“We understand the frustration of blackouts, but we’re laying the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient grid,” said Jonan Kiiza, Head of Corporate and Stakeholder Affairs. “This is a necessary pain for long-term gain.”
UEDCL has earmarked $74 million (UGX 274 billion) in first-year capital expenditures, with major projects including new substations, refurbished power lines, and installation of 518 transformers in high-demand zones.
Still, the utility faces serious challenges—chief among them, vandalism and illegal connections. “In just our first month, we’ve recorded multiple vandalism incidents in Nakasongola, Luwero, Mityana, and Mukono,” said Kiiza. “This is driving up costs and putting lives at risk.”
In response, UEDCL is boosting community engagement through public barazas and urging citizens to report vandals via toll-free lines or local authorities. “Community engagement is not optional it’s our frontline defence,” Mwesigwa stated.
Commercial Officer Joselynne Rwabwogo highlighted efforts to improve emergency response: “We now deploy teams on motorcycles to beat traffic and reach emergencies faster.”
With digital payment options now widely available and customer touch points operating 24/7, UEDCL is pushing hard to deliver a modern power distribution experience—reliable, responsive, and rooted in public trust.