FORMER ENERGY MINISTER ADVOCATES FOR FREE ELECTRICITY CONNECTIONS

President Museveni commissioning the transmission grid in Nebbi Municipality Last year. Photo/Courtesy

By Mike Rwothomio 

Zombo

Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, former State Minister for Energy, has called for free electricity connections in regions like West Nile, where many households remain unconnected despite available infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, West Nile has a power supply capacity of 90 MW through the Gulu-Olwiyo 132 kV transmission line, part of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua electrification project. This far exceeds the region’s current demand of approximately 6 MW.

On March 31, 2025, Uganda’s electricity distribution sector marked a historic shift as UMEME Limited transferred its assets and operations to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). This followed the conclusion of UMEME’s 20-year concession agreement with the Government of Uganda, which began in 2005.

As of April 1, 2025, UEDCL, a state-owned entity, assumed full responsibility for electricity distribution at and below 33 kV, as licensed by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA).

Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, who previously served as Deputy Managing Director (1994–1997) and Managing Director (1997–1998) of the now-defunct Uganda Electricity Board, was a key advocate for expanding electricity access during his tenure.

Speaking after UMEME’s exit, he urged the government to fund free connections, stating, “Power is now available. I appeal to the government to allocate funds for free connections. There’s a capacity of about 60 MW in Nebbi and 80 MW or more in Arua.”

D’Ujanga highlighted that increased access could drive industrial growth and support domestic activities.

Despite Uganda’s plan to boost power generation to 52,400 MW by 2040 from the current 2,000 MW, areas like Obongi District in West Nile remain without distribution infrastructure, even though the region is connected to the national grid.

In August 2024, West Nile’s over 3 million residents celebrated their connection to the national grid via the Gulu-Olwiyo 132 kV line, ending years of unreliable power supply.

However, D’Ujanga noted that many households remain unconnected due to high costs, with power lines passing over homes in areas like Nebbi, Zombo, and Padea.  “The lines are there, but people can’t afford to connect,” he said.

West Nile leaders echoed similar calls during the 2024 commissioning of the transmission grid in Nebbi Municipality, pressing for broader electrification.

To address these challenges, UEDCL has outlined plans to upgrade infrastructure, including repairing critical installations, increasing transformer and substation capacity, and replacing aging components like rotten poles.

Eng. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, described the transition as “The Big Switch,” emphasizing improved service delivery in line with the National Resistance Movement’s 2021–2026 manifesto.

UEDCL aims to enhance service reliability, modernize infrastructure, and prioritize customer satisfaction to support economic growth through a stable power supply.

Hon. Dr. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, assured the public during the March 31, 2025, handover that the transition would not disrupt services. The government-owned Yaka prepaid metering system will continue to function seamlessly, enabling customers to purchase electricity units via existing telecom and payment platforms.