“Power to the People or Power Outages? ONC's Namyalo Demands Full Accountability Over Uganda’s Failing Electricity Sector

KAMPALA – In a sharp intervention that has reignited national debate over the state of Uganda’s electricity distribution, Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo has demanded higher levels of accountability and transparency in the power sector.

Speaking out amid growing public frustration, Namyalo specifically questioned the performance of the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), citing persistent blackouts, lengthy delays in connecting new customers, and the burden of high electricity tariffs that continue to strain households and businesses across the country.

“Ugandans deserve better,” she asserted, calling on government and oversight institutions to thoroughly investigate the use of public funds allocated to the sector. She urged authorities to strengthen service standards and guarantee that citizens finally access reliable and reasonably priced electricity.

Her remarks come at a time when UEDCL, which took over the national distribution network from Umeme in April 2025, has faced intense scrutiny from Parliament, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), and ordinary consumers. Lawmakers and the regulator have repeatedly highlighted slow progress on new connections, rising technical and commercial losses, ageing infrastructure, and poor customer service despite significant public financing.

Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of Ugandans who paid for connections remain on waiting lists, while frequent outages continue to disrupt homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial activities. ERA has noted that UEDCL sits on substantial resources yet struggles with execution, procurement delays, and network maintenance.

Namyalo’s call for accountability carries particular weight given her role in the ONC, an office closely linked to President Yoweri Museveni’s grassroots mobilisation and monitoring of government programmes. By publicly questioning UEDCL’s efficiency and demanding probes into public funds, she has positioned herself as a voice for ordinary citizens struggling under the weight of unreliable and expensive power.

Analysts say the intervention reflects wider concerns that the transition from private concessionaire Umeme to state-owned UEDCL has not delivered the improved service and expanded access that many Ugandans expected. High tariffs, combined with intermittent supply, continue to undermine productivity, discourage investment, and force households to rely on expensive alternatives.

Namyalo’s message was clear: public resources must deliver tangible results. She called for stronger oversight, improved operational performance, and a renewed commitment to ensuring that electricity becomes both dependable and affordable for all Ugandans.

As pressure mounts on UEDCL management and government supervisors, the ONC Manager’s statement is likely to intensify calls for concrete reforms, transparent reporting, and measurable improvements in a sector that remains central to Uganda’s economic and social development.