By Carol.N
Uganda Electricity Distribution Limited (UEDL) has announced that it has successfully connected 230,000 new clients to the national electricity grid, marking one of its biggest achievements in recent years. The milestone underscores the company’s commitment to expanding electricity access and supporting Uganda’s Vision 2040 target of universal access to affordable, reliable power.
According to UEDL, the new connections were made through various grid extension and intensification projects implemented across multiple regions. The company attributed the growth to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, process improvements, and strong collaboration with the government through the Rural Electrification Programme.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala, UEDL Managing Director, Eng. Peter Mugisha, described the achievement as “a clear reflection of UEDL’s dedication to powering Uganda’s progress.” He said:
“We are proud to have reached over 230,000 new customers this year. This milestone demonstrates our strong commitment to extending electricity access to more Ugandans, while ensuring our services remain efficient and reliable.”
Eng. Mugisha further noted that the company’s attention is now turning toward strengthening its human resource capacity to support the growing demand for electricity services.
“As our customer base continues to expand, we must ensure our workforce keeps pace with the growth,” he explained. “Our focus now is on filling critical staffing gaps—particularly in technical, engineering, and customer service areas—so that we can sustain high standards of service delivery.”
The company has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to bring on board additional skilled staff and has intensified training programs aimed at improving field response and customer experience. “Our employees are at the heart of our success,” said Ms. Sarah Nakiyemba, UEDL’s Human Resource Manager.
“We are investing in capacity building to equip our teams with the latest skills and technologies. This will not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance safety and reliability in our distribution network.”
UEDL is also leveraging technology to modernise its operations. The company recently rolled out digital systems for customer management, meter reading, and fault reporting, which have improved efficiency and reduced turnaround times for service requests. According to Nakiyemba, digitalization is enabling faster communication and real-time monitoring of the grid, ensuring better service delivery for clients.
Energy experts have commended UEDL for its proactive approach. Dr. James Byaruhanga, an energy policy analyst, observed that the new connections are a crucial step toward achieving the country’s electrification targets.
“Expanding access to electricity has a ripple effect on the economy,” Dr. Byaruhanga said. “It boosts business productivity, improves education and health services, and contributes to poverty reduction—especially in rural areas that have long been underserved.”
With the addition of 230,000 new clients, UEDL’s total number of active connections now exceeds [insert total number if known], solidifying its position as one of Uganda’s leading electricity distributors. The company says it remains committed to not only connecting new customers but also ensuring that service delivery standards match the growing demand.
“Our goal is simple,” concluded Eng. Mugisha. “We want every Ugandan to have access to reliable electricity—and we are building the right systems, infrastructure, and teams to make that happen.”
As Uganda continues to pursue universal access to energy, UEDL’s dual focus on network expansion and workforce development underscores its central role in powering communities, driving innovation, and lighting the nation’s path toward a sustainable and inclusive energy future.