A government project has received a major boost after more than 270,000 prepaid electricity metres are currently undergoing quality testing ahead of deployment by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), the West Nile Rural Electrification Company (Wenreco) and Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS).
The Electricity Access Scale-Up Project (EASP), which is being implemented through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) with support from the World Bank, targets one million new electricity connections, and seeks to accelerate electricity access for households, commercial enterprises and public institutions across the country.
The acceleration of connections comes at an important time for Uganda’s electricity distribution sector following the expiry of Umeme’s concession that commenced in 2005 and expired on March 31, 2025, after which the distribution assets were handed over to UEDCL.
Ms Sylvia Burungi, the Connections Manager EASP, says the ongoing testing by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Unbs) is a critical step before deployment, ensuring that the metres installed for customers meet the required national standards for quality, accuracy and performance.
‘A team from the MEMD visited the Unbs’ testing facility to assess progress and confirm that logistical arrangements were in place for the timely movement of metres between storage and the testing facility,’ she said on Monday.
She added: ‘Once certified, the metres will support the accelerated connection of customers, including thousands who are already awaiting connection, while advancing the government’s broader objective of expanding electricity access and unlocking its economic and social benefits across the country.’
According to Ms Burungi, such arrangements are intended to maintain a continuous testing and certification process, allowing compliant meters to be released progressively to the utilities for installation rather than waiting for the entire consignment to be tested.
‘The Project has already supported approximately 235,000 electricity connections, with the additional metres and associated materials expected to significantly increase the pace of connections over the coming months.
‘Another 123,000 prepaid metres have been received by the MEMD, procured directly under the Project. Once they complete the UNBS certification process, these meters will be released for deployment,’ she explained.
The metres were procured through two complementary arrangements under EASP. Under the Results-Based Financing (RBF) arrangement, UEDCL is expected to receive additional metres, bringing the total supplied through this mechanism to approximately 270,000 by the end of 2026.
Mr Robert Mubiru, the Project Manager EASP, says the UEDCL has so far received a consignment of 150,000 single-phase prepaid metres at UEDCL stores in Lugogo and Ntinda, together with associated connection materials, which have been inspected by a team from the ministry.
He says with 235,000 connections already achieved, substantial quantities of metres undergoing certification, further supplies expected before the end of the year and additional connection materials in the pipeline, EASP is positioned to significantly accelerate implementation.
Eng Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary in the MEMD, says priority will be addressing the backlog of customers who have already applied for electricity but are still waiting to be connected.
‘As certified meters and other materials are progressively released, UEDCL will be better positioned to clear pending applications while also responding to new connection requests. For customers, particularly those who have been waiting for connections, the significance of the new supplies is immediate.
‘Applications that have remained pending because of shortages of metres or other connection materials can progressively be converted into actual electricity connections as certified equipment reaches the utilities,’ says Eng Bateebe.