The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has set a target of reducing electricity distribution losses from the current 17.9% to 16% or lower by the end of 2026.

UEDCL Acting Managing Director Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko disclosed the target while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, where she presented the company’s performance and plans to improve electricity distribution.

Rwabwogo said about 70% of the losses are technical, arising from electricity lost through wires and transformers, particularly in areas where the distribution network has been overstretched by growing demand.

To address the problem, UEDCL is replacing undersized lines, dividing long distribution lines into shorter sections and installing additional transformers to reduce technical losses and improve reliability.

The remaining 30% of the losses are commercial, mainly attributed to illegal connections, tampered meters and electricity consumed but not paid for.

UEDCL said it has redeployed 372 field staff from engineering to commercial operations to inspect installations, remove illegal connections and pursue individuals involved in electricity theft.

The Acting Managing Director also reported a significant increase in electricity purchases, with daily purchases rising from 18.2 gigawatt-hours in December 2025 to 20.9 gigawatt-hours in July 2026.

Meanwhile, electricity tariffs have fallen by 19%, from Shs486 to Shs396 per unit, while the country’s largest industrial consumers are now paying about Shs213 per unit.

UEDCL said the reduction in tariffs has contributed to increased electricity consumption, with daily power purchases growing by about 20%.

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