Ugandans have expressed frustration over persistent electricity outages after Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) acting chief commercial and operations services officer Isaac Katewanga described public complaints about unreliable power supply as “noise” during a television interview. Katewanga acknowledged public dissatisfaction following the transfer of electricity distribution operations from Umeme to UEDCL in April 2025, saying consumers’ expectations had not been met.
The remarks triggered further criticism from electricity consumers, some of whom cited losses caused by prolonged blackouts, including spoiled food, disappearing prepaid Yaka units, and transformer failures that reportedly left some communities without electricity for weeks. For households and businesses that depend on a reliable power supply, the outages have raised concerns about the cost of electricity interruptions and the responsiveness of the company responsible for distributing power.
Some consumers have also questioned how they can recover losses incurred when electricity cuts damage goods that require refrigeration, particularly meat and other perishable products. A case was cited involving a man in Mbarara who reportedly won Shs300 million after suing over meat spoiled during a power outage. Details of the judgment and the circumstances surrounding the award would require independent verification.
UEDCL has attributed the persistent outages to challenges within the electricity distribution network, including ageing infrastructure, rising demand, and overloaded substations. The company says electricity demand has increased by about 60 per cent, while the number of customer connections has grown to approximately 2.78 million, putting additional pressure on infrastructure that requires substantial investment and upgrading.
One of the areas facing capacity challenges is Mutundwe substation, which is reportedly operating at approximately 130 per cent of its rated capacity. Operating substations beyond their designed capacity can increase the risk of equipment failures and interruptions, particularly when the network is already under pressure from growing electricity demand.
UEDCL has also pointed to the condition of infrastructure inherited during the April 2025 transition from Umeme, arguing that the handover required extensive rehabilitation and replacement of ageing or faulty equipment. The utility says it has been replacing transformers and undertaking network improvements to address the problems, with 1,110 transformers replaced, alongside plans for further upgrades intended to improve electricity reliability.
The challenges have nevertheless left consumers demanding more immediate solutions, arguing that electricity reliability is essential for domestic activities, businesses, manufacturing, and the preservation of perishable goods. For traders, restaurants, butcheries, and other businesses that rely on refrigeration, prolonged outages can translate into direct financial losses. Households also face disruption when electricity is unavailable for cooking, lighting, charging devices, and other essential activities.
Key points
- UEDCL faces criticism for dismissing power outage complaints as "noise" amid widespread disruptions.
- The company cites ageing infrastructure and rising demand as causes of the outages.
- Consumers report significant losses, including spoiled food and lost Yaka units.
