Uganda's electricity distribution network has been under significant strain due to rising demand driven by population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), electricity consumption increased from 4,146 GWh in 2020 to 4,443 GWh in 2021.

Yet, only about 28% of the population had access to electricity by 2020, with rural access even lower at 18%.

This growing demand has overwhelmed the distribution infrastructure, leading to frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations, and load shedding in various regions.

The aging distribution infrastructure, including power lines and transformers, has compounded these challenges.

A 2021 report by the Uganda Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) revealed that much of Uganda's electricity network is over 30 years old, making it vulnerable to failures, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Environmental factors like floods and heavy rains have caused significant damage, particularly in rural areas, further worsening power reliability.

• In response, UMEME has announced substantial investments aimed at upgrading the distribution network to meet the increasing demand.

"We are making significant investments in the distribution network across the country to address these issues as quickly as possible, ensuring a more reliable and stable power supply for all our customers," UMEME stated on their X account.

These upgrades are expected to stabilize the electricity supply, reduce outages, and expand access in underserved areas.

However, achieving widespread, reliable electricity access will require continued efforts from the government and other stakeholders to address both distribution and generation challenges.