Paul Mwesigwa, MD UEDCL, Reassures Nation on Seamless Electricity Distribution Transition and Future Investments
Mr. Mwesigwa proudly shared that the top priority was to maintain uninterrupted power supply during the transition.
The Managing Director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Mr. Paul Mwesigwa, addressed the media at the Uganda Media Centre, outlining the agency's strategic steps and immediate interventions following its takeover of electricity distribution operations formerly managed by Umeme Limited.
At the stroke of midnight on April 1st, 2025, UEDCL officially assumed control of the electricity distribution network across various parts of Uganda. Mr. Mwesigwa proudly shared that the top priority was to maintain uninterrupted power supply during the transition.
“Our first obligation at midnight of the 1st of April was to make sure that the lights are on across the country. And I believe people woke up in the morning when there was light in their homes and factories,” he stated confidently.
Another crucial milestone, according to Mwesigwa, was the successful deployment of the new electricity token vending systems. UEDCL now operates two platforms—UEDCL Light, designed for customers previously served by Umeme, and the traditional UEDCL platform for its long-standing customers.
“The vending is up and running, both online and through the banking areas. If you check on your gadgets or phones, you’ll have UEDCL Light and UEDCL,” he noted.
Following a comprehensive audit carried out between April 1st and 2nd, UEDCL identified 113 transformers inoperative in the newly acquired areas. Mwesigwa confirmed that efforts to replace them began immediately, with 40 transformers already restored as of April 9th.
“Deployments are ongoing across the country. All transformers should be up and running by the end of the week. We urge affected persons to be patient as our teams are on the ground managing the situation,” he assured.
Additionally, Mwesigwa mentioned that overloaded transformers had been discovered in some areas, prompting the company to initiate “transformer insertion” measures to strengthen and stabilize power distribution.
Mwesigwa also emphasized UEDCL’s financial and operational readiness to manage the national electricity distribution network. Through support from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and affordable financing from a financial institution, UEDCL is positioned to provide services at fair tariffs.
“We have managed to secure relatively cheap funding from the financial institution, and it's the reason why the regulator announced fair tariffs. UEDCL is a financially sustainable institution, managed on a governance of sustainability,” he explained.
Notably, the financing obtained is unsecured, a testament to UEDCL’s strong governance systems and internal controls.
“The bank did an evaluation of us and observed that our governance, our controls, and systems are up to speed as compared to the private institution,” Mwesigwa added.
UEDCL’s roadmap includes the deployment of state-of-the-art technology, creation of a smart network, and development of a fully digital operational environment to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
As part of this transformative agenda, UEDCL plans to invest $74 million within the first 12 months of operation, targeting infrastructure expansion, technology upgrades, and improved customer service systems.
“Our effort now is to manage the institution under what we call an operational efficiency environment,” Mwesigwa said, underscoring UEDCL’s commitment to modernizing Uganda’s electricity distribution sector.
With the successful transition from Umeme to UEDCL, the utility’s top leadership is confident about delivering stable, affordable, and reliable electricity services. Mr. Paul Mwesigwa’s address offered both a report on the initial progress and a visionary outlook on how UEDCL intends to transform Uganda’s power distribution landscape for sustainable national development.
