African electricity systems are moving beyond state-owned utility models as governments increasingly rely on private capital to build new generation, storage, and grid infrastructure. This is creating more diversified power markets while redefining the role of utilities across the continent. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African electricity …
Read More »Why Africa’s solar revolution is about resilience, not power
Across Africa, engineers and entrepreneurs are redesigning renewable energy to withstand weak infrastructure, limited financing, and unpredictable conditions NEWS ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | In the northern reaches of Uganda, where the road from the provincial capital, Gulu, stretches toward the South Sudan border and the landscape opens into wide, …
Read More »UEDCL starts upgrading electricity distribution infrastructure for Masaka
Masaka, Uganda | URN | The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has embarked on major upgrade of its network infrastructure in the Greater Masaka region, to improve reliability of electricity supply to its clients. Michael Kabanda, the Central Southwestern UEDCL regional Manager reveals that after a technical assessment of …
Read More »How data centres are reshaping Africa’s power market
From Johannesburg to Kampala, Africa’s digital ambitions are now inseparable from the strength of its power grids Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Africa’s digital economy is beginning to recast the continent’s electricity landscape, with data centres emerging alongside households, factories and mines as a significant new source of power demand. …
Read More »Absa Bank Uganda to facilitate UEDCL $50 million power distribution expansion plan
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Absa Bank Uganda and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) have today announced the advancement of a five-year $50million, landmark financing facility to the electricity distributor to strengthen national power distribution. Officials said this landmark transaction marks a defining moment for Uganda’s energy sector, and …
Read More »Uganda’s energy development under Museveni
COMMENT | NNANDA KIZITO SSERUWAGI | President Yoweri Museveni views investment in energy as one of the fastest ways to transform a society and reduce poverty. Multiple studies back this perspective. One such study by the World Bank and the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that the single biggest driver of …
Read More »Trouble brewing at UEDCL
Why the new electricity distributor is under fire from both the ministry and the regulator THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Daily Monitor reported on Friday, December 5, 2025, that the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanja, had stopped the minister of energy from firing the top …
Read More »Can UEDCL’s ‘WETEREZeeee’ Campaign end power theft in Uganda?
COMMENT | MUTESI BRENDA | Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) launched its “WETEREZeeee” amnesty campaign in July 2025, urging households and businesses with illegal or tampered electricity connections to legalize their supply by September 30, 2025, without penalties. UEDCL’s Managing Director called it a “one-off opportunity” to enhance safety and …
Read More »Legal battle as Uganda takes back the power
The return of electricity distribution to state hands has sparked a dispute with the private company that was ousted ANALYSIS | LIAM TAYLOR | Umeme, an electricity distribution company, announced on 2 June that it will take its quarrel with the Ugandan government to an arbitration court in London, after weeks …
Read More »Electricity is getting cheaper across Africa
Electricity is becoming more affordable in Africa as renewable energy scales up. From mini-grids to solar home systems, falling generation costs are translating into lower tariffs, especially in off-grid and rural areas. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | More Africans are spending less on accessing electricity than before, largely thanks …
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