As Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) marks 100 days since taking over the power grid from Umeme, a growing number of Ugandans say they’re worse off than before.
While UEDCL highlights progress—upgraded substations, 116 transformer replacements, and 23,000 new connections—citizens report daily blackouts, poor response times, and a lack of updates.
“Electricity comes at midnight and is gone by morning,” one resident in Buloba said.
Another added, “We call, but no one picks up. The silence is just as frustrating as the blackout.”
On social media, users openly criticize the company’s performance, with one even comparing UEDCL to a struggling football team: “Like Manchester United—rubbish.”
UEDCL’s Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa blames part of the problem on vandalism and power theft. So far, 41 suspects have been arrested and 17 taken to court. The company also says it has deployed 550 linemen, with 400 more to join by the end of July under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa praised UEDCL’s efforts, pointing to improved billing systems and a rise in national consumption to 1,031 megawatts.
But on the ground, public trust is wearing thin. Until outages reduce and communication improves, UEDCL’s slogan—“Powering Uganda”—remains far from reality.
