UEDCL: 10 Moves Transforming Uganda’s Power Sector
- Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has launched an initiative to lower electricity tariffs and expand access across teh country.
- With approval from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), UEDCL introduced reduced tariffs from April to June 2025.
- the Yaka prepaid metering system has been rebranded as "UEDCL LIGHT," unifying the national identity of the service.
UEDCL is revolutionizing Uganda’s power sector wiht a strategic initiative to cut electricity tariffs and broaden access, boosting economic growth. From April to June 2025, domestic consumers experience reduced rates, with large industries benefiting from off-peak hour savings. UEDCL, backed by a $74 million investment, is actively upgrading infrastructure, including the deployment of smart metering, while expanding grid coverage to reduce outages—a key strategy to meet rising demand. This focus on upgrading the electricity grid and increasing the availability of power is crucial.Moreover, the company’s move to onboard skilled workers formerly employed by Umeme assures operational stability. News Directory 3 understands how critical power is for Uganda. Discover what’s next as UEDCL drives towards universal electricity access by 2030.
Uganda’s UEDCL Cuts Electricity Tariffs, Expands Access
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has launched an initiative to lower electricity tariffs and expand access across teh country. The move aims to boost economic growth and improve living standards.
With approval from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), UEDCL introduced reduced tariffs from April to June 2025. Domestic consumers now benefit from a lifeline tariff of 250 Ugandan shillings per unit for up to 100 units. Large industries see rates as low as 231.6 shillings per unit during off-peak hours. These reduced electricity tariffs are designed to ease household budgets and lower production costs.
the Yaka prepaid metering system has been rebranded as “UEDCL LIGHT,” unifying the national identity of the service. UEDCL absorbed 2,200 skilled workers from Umeme, bringing its total workforce to 2,712. This retention of experienced personnel ensures operational stability and leverages existing knowledge of Uganda’s power grid, officials said.
UEDCL has set a target of connecting 300,000 new customers annually, prioritizing rural and underserved areas. This aspiring expansion of connections aligns with the government’s goal of universal electricity access by 2030.
Extra-large manufacturers now benefit from a landmark target of 0.5 U.S. cents per unit,a move supported by government subsidies. This empowers industrial competitiveness by lowering production costs, enabling factories to compete globally and potentially reduce consumer goods prices.
Backed by $74 million for 2025 operations and a $50 million loan from ABSA Bank, UEDCL is upgrading aging infrastructure. these massive infrastructure investments include replacing faulty transformers and expanding grid coverage to reduce outages and meet rising power demand, particularly in urban centers.
UEDCL is embracing a smart technology revolution with smart metering and network management systems. These innovations improve billing accuracy, reduce tampering, and enhance customer access through mobile apps.
Drawing from its success in previous concessions, UEDCL aims to slash energy losses nationwide by upgrading equipment and curbing illegal connections.The company also retained Umeme’s payment channels, including mobile money and banking platforms, to ensure seamless payment continuity.
public amenities, such as hospitals and streetlights, now have a tariff of 360 shillings per unit, ensuring these critical services remain affordable. This prioritizes public amenities and reflects UEDCL’s commitment to social impact.
Despite these strides in electricity access, challenges such as vandalism and occasional outages persist.UEDCL’s focus on infrastructure upgrades and loss reduction signals a promising trajectory, but sustained investment and transparency will be key to winning public trust.