The managing director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Eng. Joselyine Rwabwongo Rwakakooko, and her entire board have been criticized for their handling of the country's power distribution. According to Steven Ariong, a senior veteran journalist, the UEDCL leadership has failed to manage the company's responsibilities, leading to chronic load shedding across the country. Ariong expressed his opinion that the UEDCL managing director and her team should have resigned two months ago due to their incompetence.
Load shedding has become a significant challenge in Uganda, with many areas experiencing power outages for extended periods. Ariong noted that even minor weather conditions, such as cloudy weather or a small wind, can cause power outages lasting several days. Soroti is particularly affected, with residents experiencing frequent and prolonged power outages. In contrast, neighboring countries that use Uganda's power do not experience similar levels of load shedding.
The impact of load shedding extends beyond inconvenience, affecting businesses and the economy. Ariong pointed out that poor youths who rely on power for their businesses, such as metal fabrication, are forced to pay double loans due to the frequent power outages. When power is available, they struggle to complete their work, and when it is not, they are unable to repay their loans.
The cost of connecting power to homes is also a concern, with residents being charged exorbitantly high fees. Ariong shared his experience of being asked to pay Shs3.5 million for each pole, which would total Shs38,500,000 for his village center. He argued that this service should be free, especially considering that residents have to pay for Yaka units.
Ariong suggested that Ugandans should consider alternative energy sources, such as solar systems, to avoid the challenges posed by UEDCL's load shedding. He estimated that a good solar system can cost between Shs3 million and Shs4 million, which is a one-time payment compared to the ongoing costs of Yaka units.
The criticism of UEDCL's management and the government's decision to terminate UMEME's contract and propose UEDCL to manage power distribution has been questioned. Ariong implied that whoever provided President Museveni with wrong information about UMEME's performance and proposed UEDCL as an alternative was a "serious enemy of development" in Uganda.
The situation highlights the need for a reliable and efficient power distribution system in Uganda. While UEDCL faces criticism for its performance, the government and other stakeholders must work together to address the challenges facing the country's energy sector and find a lasting solution to the load shedding problem. KEY_POINT: UEDCL's managing director and board face criticism for incompetence amid chronic load shedding.
