KAMPALA, UGANDA – In a move aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and bolstering the country’s economic development, the government has announced a new initiative to disconnect Ugandans who are found to be using electricity inefficiently. The warning was delivered by the State Minister for Energy, Okaasai Opolot, who stated that the government is preparing to enforce penalties, including disconnections, on both households and industries that misuse power.
The announcement comes as the government prepares to table the new Energy Efficiency Bill before Parliament. The proposed law, already passed by the Cabinet, seeks to establish a legal and regulatory framework to curb wasteful energy consumption and promote the adoption of modern, energy-efficient technologies.
Speaking at the opening of a new office for the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Minister Opolot highlighted that many Ugandans, particularly in the industrial sector, continue to use outdated and power-hungry machinery. “If you use old technologies, your production costs increase, making your products less competitive in the market,” he said. He added that the government will begin to monitor electricity usage and that significant, unexplained spikes in consumption will be investigated.
The new measures are not limited to industrial users. Minister Opolot also criticized extravagant household electricity usage, citing examples such as ironing during peak tariff hours as a form of misuse. The government intends to conduct audits in homes and industries to assess electricity use and enforce compliance.
The new policy is a significant step toward achieving the country’s ambitious economic growth targets. According to the government, the efficient use of electricity is critical to supporting a “10-fold economy.” The proposed bill is also expected to address fuel inefficiency in the transport sector, with provisions to promote electric vehicles and reduce reliance on old, inefficient cars.
While the new policy is a bold step, it comes at a time of transition for the country’s electricity sector. With the concession for Umeme ending and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) taking over, the government is working to clear a backlog of electricity connections and improve service delivery. The new Energy Efficiency Bill is expected to provide a clear and enforceable framework to guide the sector’s future, ensuring that the power generated is used wisely to benefit the entire economy.
