KAMPALA, October 8, 2025 — Power distributor, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited [ UEDCL ] has noted a 10 percent flowing increase in electricity demand during the past three months, having taken over the job from former distributor UMEME on April 1, 2025.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, attributes the surge in demand to increasing number of people applying for power supply, recording at least 140,000 new customers registered during this period.
Nankabirwa says the rise in electricity demand is primarily driven by the proliferation of factories and small manufacturing enterprises, such as those involved in coffee and maize processing, as well as individual domestic consumers.
She explains the rampant power outages across the country saying these are due to company’s nationwide initiative to replenish all the outdated power stations and transformers with modern infrastructure.
“These upgrades are making power supply so unstable, but we urge the public to remain patient during this transition, until we attain the best,” Nankabirwa says.
However, she cites unrelenting electricity theft that remains a significant challenge to the sector.
Addressing the vice, UEDCL introduced the “Wetereze,” campaign, which provides an amnesty arrangement, encouraging individuals to confess to illegally tapping electricity.
Nankabirwa reports that at least 200,000 individuals have come forward, generating new connections and significantly reducing power theft.
https://thecooperator.news/uedcl-adds-over-640000-new-customers-in-six-months-after-umeme-takeover/
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