The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has promised Ugandans a better quality of power supply, increased transparency, and improved consumer engagement during the 2026–27 tariff review. This commitment follows a highly attended public hearing at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, which saw participation from key electricity sector stakeholders, including the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), alongside civil society groups, energy experts, and consumers.
ERA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, emphasized the critical role electricity plays in Uganda’s economic growth. “Electricity is a fuel for economic development,” she said, underscoring its importance in industrialisation, job creation, and socioeconomic transformation. Eng. Waako highlighted ERA’s commitment to closely monitoring sector companies to ensure improved service delivery, reliability, and value for money in the coming financial year.
Sector Challenges and Plans for Improvement
During the session, UEGCL presented its 2026–2030 tariff application, with Chief Operating Officer Eng. George T. Mutetweka stressing the urgent need for reinvestment in power plants. “We need sustained investments and rehabilitation to maintain reliable generation,” he noted, reiterating UEGCL’s commitment to ensuring a constant and safe power supply from all plants.
UETCL, represented by Senior Financial Economist Noah Mwesigwa, pointed out the challenges of vandalism and unpaid electricity bills, which undermine infrastructure development. “When one tower is vandalised, multiple towers are affected,” Mwesigwa explained. He highlighted the need for investment in tower protection and monitoring systems, while also stressing the impact of UGX 600 billion in unpaid bills on project delays, which affect community and industrial power supply.
Meanwhile, UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa detailed the company’s expansion plans for 2026. He reaffirmed UEDCL’s mission to provide a modern, efficient electricity distribution network to every corner of Uganda, ensuring that every connection made lights up homes, classrooms, and factories. Mwesigwa also stressed the importance of transitioning to fully metered connections to ensure fairness and accountability, saying, “By moving towards 100% metered connections, we ensure every customer pays fairly for the electricity they use.”
Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
ERA Board Chairperson, Eng. Grania Rosette Rubomboras, emphasized the significance of the annual tariff hearing in ensuring transparency and accountability in the tariff-setting process. “The purpose of this hearing is to ensure transparency and stakeholder participation,” she said, highlighting that it allows customers to voice their concerns about power prices and supply issues before final decisions are made.
The hearing was part of a broader government effort to foster openness and improve service delivery in the electricity sector. ERA officials encouraged continued public participation, emphasizing that the decisions made in such forums directly impact power pricing, supply reliability, and overall development in Uganda.
As the session concluded, ERA reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the public in tariff discussions, ensuring that Ugandans continue to have a voice in shaping the future of the country’s power sector.
