Uganda ended its 20-year electricity contract with private firm Umeme Limited last month. The government took back control through its state-owned Uganda Electricity Distribution Company on April 1. President Yoweri Museveni had long criticized Umeme for charging high rates that hurt business growth. He previously told Ugandans that the company focused more on profits than helping the nation develop.
Umeme officials claim they improved the power system during their management term. The company increased customer connections from 250,000 to over 2 million over two decades. They expanded the electrical network from 17,000 kilometers to 44,000 kilometers. Through better management practices, Umeme also reduced power losses from 38 percent to 16 percent.
Former regulatory chief Frank Ssebowa said Umeme helped modernize the system that was once in shambles. He remembered seeing livestock inside electrical substations before Umeme took over. Ssebowa believes finding money will become the main challenge for the government company running the system. The management team includes experienced engineers who have worked with Umeme for years. Uganda must maintain the improvements made during the private contract period.
Umeme officials claim they improved the power system during their management term. The company increased customer connections from 250,000 to over 2 million over two decades. They expanded the electrical network from 17,000 kilometers to 44,000 kilometers. Through better management practices, Umeme also reduced power losses from 38 percent to 16 percent.
Former regulatory chief Frank Ssebowa said Umeme helped modernize the system that was once in shambles. He remembered seeing livestock inside electrical substations before Umeme took over. Ssebowa believes finding money will become the main challenge for the government company running the system. The management team includes experienced engineers who have worked with Umeme for years. Uganda must maintain the improvements made during the private contract period.
