More than 100 electricity consumers have engaged officials from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to discuss power supply challenges and identify ways of improving service delivery in Kampala.During the meeting, UEDCL officials pledged to strengthen public sensitisation on the proper use of electricity, the dangers of power theft and the need to protect electricity infrastructure from vandalism.
The engagement was organised by UEDCL’s Wandegeya region on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Kolping Hotel in Bwaise. It brought together consumers, political leaders, security officials and other stakeholders to discuss the company’s operations and the challenges affecting electricity distribution.Kawempe North Member of Parliament Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola commended UEDCL for efforts to improve its electricity distribution capacity, noting that reliable power was essential for industrial growth, business operations and household consumption.Nalukoola said Kawempe North had more than 230,000 registered voters, representing a large population that required reliable electricity with minimal interruptions.He urged residents to support efforts to stop electricity theft and vandalism of power infrastructure, explaining that such practices cause financial losses and undermine economic development.Kawempe Division Mayor Dr Emmanuel Serunjoji called on UEDCL to improve its operations and regularly educate consumers about electricity safety, proper usage and the consequences of interfering with power infrastructure.
Serunjoji welcomed the engagement, saying direct meetings between the company and consumers provide an opportunity to discuss challenges and strengthen cooperation.Senior UEDCL officials who addressed the meeting included Jesca Florence Zziwa, head of commercial and operations for regional services in the Central Region; Samson Tondo Ssemakalu, head of engineering services for the Central Region; Perpetua Kyalisiima, Wandegeya area manager; and Geoffrey Mukune, manager of territory operations.The officials presented information about UEDCL’s mandate, performance and the condition of the electricity distribution network.They said improvements had been made to the distribution system since UEDCL took over operations from Umeme, adding that the company was continuing to strengthen its technical and operational capacity to reduce power interruptions.
The officials also identified vandalism and interference with electricity infrastructure as some of the factors contributing to persistent outages. They pledged to work with community leaders and other stakeholders to improve the reliability of electricity supply.Kawempe Hospital Raises Concern Over Power OutagesThe Principal Hospital Administrator at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Mary Kabugho, raised concern over frequent power interruptions, warning that they could affect the delivery of essential medical services.Kabugho explained that unreliable electricity poses particular challenges for the hospital’s newborn care services, where some babies depend on oxygen support and incubators.She said power interruptions can affect the hospital’s oxygen plant and potentially disrupt the supply of oxygen needed by vulnerable newborns.Kabugho asked UEDCL to prioritise the hospital by providing a dedicated, standalone power transformer to ensure a more stable electricity supply.In response, UEDCL officials said they had installed a new standalone mini-transformer at the Kawanda power substation specifically to serve Kawempe National Referral Hospital.They explained that the electricity supply line had been installed underground to minimise disruptions and other inconveniences.The officials reaffirmed their commitment to addressing technical challenges affecting the hospital and improving the consistency and reliability of its electricity supply.
Meanwhile, Makerere III Parish councillor Kyobe Muhammad complained about frequent power outages, saying they affected business productivity and contributed to security concerns at night.Kyobe urged UEDCL to replace ageing electricity poles, upgrade overloaded transformers and strengthen communication with communities to improve service delivery.He pledged that community leaders would cooperate with UEDCL staff to identify and report electricity theft and vandalism, noting that protecting power infrastructure was important in preventing avoidable deaths and injuries.
Wandegeya Police Division Commander SP David Wills Ndaula, who was represented at the meeting by the Officer in Charge of the Child and Family Protection Unit, AIP Rebecca Nababi, warned residents against stealing electricity and damaging power infrastructure.Nababi said the offences undermine economic development and negatively affect the communities in which they occur.
She added that police, other security agencies and community leaders would work together to combat vandalism and related crimes.The engagement provided consumers with an opportunity to raise concerns about outages, deteriorating electricity poles, overloaded transformers and other challenges affecting power distribution.UEDCL said continued cooperation with consumers, local leaders and security agencies would be important in protecting electricity infrastructure and improving service delivery across the Wandegeya region.
