Government infighting exposes deeper crisis in Uganda’s power distribution transition

KAMPALA — Emerging tensions within government over the management of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) have exposed deeper structural challenges in the country’s power sector, raising concerns about stability during a critical transition period.

Efforts by the Ministry of Energy to dismiss top managers at the state-owned distributor, following a negative performance review, have triggered pushback from the Office of the Prime Minister, signalling divisions at senior levels of government.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja intervened to halt the proposed shake-up, cautioning that abrupt leadership changes could destabilise operations at a time when UEDCL is still consolidating control of the national electricity distribution network.

The dispute stems from concerns raised by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), which flagged operational and management weaknesses at the utility, prompting the Energy Ministry to push for accountability measures, including possible dismissals.

However, the Prime Minister warned that mass termination of senior managers could worsen power outages and disrupt economic activity, particularly given the fragile state of the network inherited during the transition from private sector management.

The standoff highlights broader uncertainty over how Uganda intends to manage its electricity distribution going forward. While government has reassumed control, internal disagreements suggest a lack of consensus on governance, reform priorities, and the pace of change.

Analysts say the situation reflects deeper challenges in the sector, including ageing infrastructure, rising demand for electricity, and institutional friction among key players.

The controversy also comes amid growing public concern over persistent power outages and service reliability, issues partly linked to infrastructure gaps and delayed investment.

Despite the tensions, government has opted for an internal review rather than immediate dismissals, with officials emphasising the need for due process and operational continuity.

The outcome of the review is expected to influence both the future of UEDCL’s leadership and the direction of Uganda’s electricity distribution strategy in the coming years.