KAMPALA – The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced that it will take over electricity distribution operations in Uganda effective April 1, 2025. This development comes as Umeme Limited’s operations, including the sale and distribution of electricity, are set to terminate on March 31, 2025.
According to a statement released by UEDCL, the company will become the new power operator, as per ERA Licenses No. ERA/LIC/DIS/024/231 & ERA/LIC/DIS/024/232. UEDCL has assured all customers, including those of Umeme, that services will be uninterrupted.
The company has also clarified that all electricity units acquired before April 1, 2025, and not used by customers on their meter accounts will remain valid. Normal electricity vending and loading for all customers will continue on MTN, Airtel, banks, and other collection platforms.
UEDCL has warned the public to be cautious during this transition period, as unauthorized individuals may attempt to remove electricity meters from homes or falsely claim that units will stop functioning after the transition. The company has encouraged the public to report any suspicious behavior to the nearest service center, police station, or local authority.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Umeme’s buyout figure continues to unfold. A special audit report has revealed that the buyout figure has been reduced to $118 million, substantially lower than the initial $190 million approved by Parliament.
The reduced buyout figure has sparked intense debate about the country’s energy sector and the role of private players like Umeme. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear – the fate of Uganda’s energy landscape hangs in the balance.
Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, has stated that the government will only execute the buyout amount audited by the Auditor General, which is $118 million. She has also emphasized that Umeme Limited must hand over operations to UEDCL by April 1, 2025.
The Umeme Limited saga has raised questions about the valuation process and the potential implications for the energy sector. As stakeholders await further clarification on the matter, one thing is certain – the transition of electricity distribution operations from Umeme to UEDCL marks a significant development in Uganda’s energy sector.
