UMEME to Hand Over Power Distribution to UEDCL on Fools’ Day!

Kampala, Uganda:Uganda’s electricity distribution sector is set for a major transition as Umeme Limited officially hands over operations to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) on April 1, 2025, which will coinside with fools’ day. This follows the expiry of Umeme’s 20-year electricity distribution concession on February 28, 2025, marking the end of an era in Uganda’s energy sector.

According to a public notice from Umeme, the company is currently in the “Retransfer Transition Period,” awaiting a final settlement from the Government of Uganda. Umeme has submitted an estimated buyout claim of USD 234 million, which is undergoing audit by the Office of the Auditor General. The payment deadline is March 31, 2025, after which UEDCL will fully assume control of the distribution system.

In its own transition notice, UEDCL reassured customers that the change in management will not disrupt electricity supply. The company emphasized that all unused electricity units purchased before April 1 will remain valid and that vending services via MTN, Airtel, and banks will continue as usual. UEDCL also warned the public about potential fraudsters posing as company officials and urged vigilance against misinformation regarding the transition.

With this transition happening on April 1st—coincidentally April Fools’ Day—some Ugandans have taken to social media to joke about whether this is truly the final switch or an elaborate prank. However, official statements from both companies confirm that the shift is real and will proceed as planned.

The transition marks a significant shift in Uganda’s power distribution landscape, with UEDCL now set to operate under new regulatory conditions while ensuring reliable electricity supply for millions of Ugandans.