August 17, 2025 5:00 pm
By Timothy Wasswa Kisuule
More than 650 million people worldwide do not have access to electricity. Ninety percent of the aforementioned are found in sub-Saharan Africa, according to research data. In accordance with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the World Bank has been funding electricity initiatives throughout Africa. The Government of Uganda (GoU) started the initiative to expand access to power in Uganda in 2018 under the electricity connection policy. Under this premise, new electricity connections under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project (EASP) in Kiboga District have been formally commissioned by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
The Honourable Canon Ruth Nankabirwa said, “Even though we conducted the major official launch of EASP in Mitooma and Katakwi, we decided that we have to conduct these mini launches in every district where we are operating and use them to communicate to the beneficiaries the government initiatives in my ministry.” She added that they were starting the last mile connections program to light up homes in Bukomero, Kiboga District, today, Sunday, August 17, 2025. At the EASP commissioning event in Bukomero village, Kiboga District, she addressed and urged everyone to understand that the government is providing free meters and that a customer only needs to engage an ERA-licensed wireman to wire their home or homes.
Speaking at the same ceremony, UEDCL MD Paul Mwesigwa reaffirmed the Minister’s demand and emphasized UEDCL’s dedication to making sure that a large number of people have affordable electricity connections as soon as possible.
“We are in Bukomero today to provide our customers with cheaper electricity thanks to the GoU,” said the UEDCL MD, adding that the only fees needed are Ugx. 23,600 for inspections and 6,400 for the initial energy paid to UEDCL via any mobile platform of their choosing. He went on to say that UEDCL has employed 850 additional connection technicians to carry out the task of connecting electricity to houses, a step that will lead to greater access to electricity in Uganda.
In front of a very joyful crowd, Hon. Dr. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa and Mwesigwa observed a pleased customer named George Sibewalwa, a shop owner, making a new connection at his establishment, as part of the commissioning. Sibewalwa thanked the government and UEDCL, and encouraged all Bukomero people to seek for new connections through EASP as well.
Together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, UEDCL plans to connect at least 900,000 new customers under EASP over the course of the next two years, ending in 2027, with World Bank funding of USD 638 million.
Under the project, anyone who lives 90 meters (one pole or no pole) or less from a low voltage pole can apply for and receive a free power connection.
To support Uganda’s industrialization strategy and realize the nation’s Vision 2040, the project eventually seeks to expand access to electricity for households, businesses, and public institutions like schools, health facilities, important industrial parks, and mining centers.
