Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited Explained

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL)
Type:Parastatal
Location:6th Floor, UEDCL Tower
37 Nakasero Road
Kampala, Uganda
Key People:Francis Tumuheirwe
Chairman
Joseph Katera
Managing Director[1]
Industry:Power distribution
Products:Electricity, electric poles
Homepage:Homepage

The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is a parastatal company whose primary purpose is to distribute electric power to domestic and commercial end-users in Uganda, at and below 33 kiloVolts.[2] This role was sub-leased to Umeme for a 20-year concession that ends in 2025.[3]

Location

The headquarters of UEDCL are on the sixth floor of UEDCL Towers, 37 Nakasero Road, Nakasero Hill, in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[4] The coordinates of the company headquarters are 0°19'35.0"N, 32°34'38.0"E (Latitude:0.326390; Longitude:32.577222).

History

UEDCL was established in 2001 by an act of the Ugandan parliament following the break-up of the Uganda Electricity Board. In 2005, Umeme took over the majority of assets and responsibilities of UEDCL for a period of 20 years on a concessionary basis.[2] [5] In 2018, the Natural Resources Committee of the Ugandan Parliament weighed the benefits and consequences of terminating that concession earlier than 2025. The committee was informed by Joseph Katera, the UEDCL managing director, that the government needed to invest at least US$100 million on an annual basis, to maintain on-going operations. Another US$330 million break-up fee would be due to Umeme at the time of premature termination.[6]

Operations

During the period of the concession to Umeme, UEDCL has the following operations:[2] [5] (a) Monitor Umeme's adherence to the terms of the concession (b) Maintain and operate the off-grid power networks in the districts of Adjumani, Moroto and Moyo and (c) Supervise the completion of the grid-expansion projects that were under construction by the Rural Electrification Network, a sister government agency, at the time the Umeme concession was initialized (d) Maintain, operate, and manage the electric pole treatment plant at Lugogo in Central Kampala.[2] [5]

Governance

UEDCL is governed by a seven-person board of directors whose chairman is Francis Tumuheirwe. Other members of the board of directors include James Banabe Isingoma, Dr May Ssengendo, Habib Zaitun, Kalanguka Kayondho, Godfrey Turyahikayo & Christopher Mugisha. The Company's managing director is Paul Mwesigwa.[7]

Developments

In February 2021, Ugandan online media reported that the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Uganda had cancelled the electricity distribution license of Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society (BECS), which had been responsible for energy distribution in Bundibugyo District. That license was immediately transferred to UEDCL. The affected distribution area includes Ntoroko District and parts of Kabarole District.[8] [9]

See also

External links

0.3264°N 32.5772°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Government Won’t Take Over UMEME – UEDCL Official . 8 July 2018 . 14 April 2018 . George . Mangula . Eagle Uganda . Uganda.
  2. Web site: 11 October 2016 . 10 February 2016 . Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) . Advertisement . . Kampala.
  3. Web site: Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited: About Us . 11 October 2016 . Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) . 11 October 2016 . UEDCL . Kampala.
  4. Web site: Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited: UEDCL Contacts . Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) . UEDCL . Kampala.
  5. Web site: Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited: Welcome to UEDCL . 11 October 2016 . 11 October 2016 . Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) . UEDCL . Kampala.
  6. Web site: What it would take to replace Umeme . . Christine . Kasemiire . 8 July 2018 . Kampala . 24 April 2018.
  7. Web site: 11 October 2016 . 11 October 2016. The Board of Directors of UEDCL . UEDCL . Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) . Kampala .
  8. Web site: . Bundibugyo Power Distribution Company Loses Contract Over Mismanagement, Debts . 23 February 2021 . Basaija Idd and Godwin Bwambale . 5 April 2021 . Kampala.
  9. Web site: SoftPower Uganda . UEDCL Takes Over Electricity Distribution In Bundibugyo . 1 April 2021 . 5 April 2021 . SoftPower . Kampala.