By Ben Musanje
The government says it has accelerated implementation of the $608 million Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP), with more than 234,000 households connected to the national grid since the project began, while acknowledging delays caused by shortages of connection materials.
In a brief presented to Parliament on July 20, 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said the World Bank-funded project, which became effective in July 2023, aims to increase electricity access for households, businesses, public institutions, industrial parks and refugee-hosting communities over five years.
The ministry said the project has so far received $190.8 million, representing 31.3% of the total funding envelope.
More than 234,000 grid connections completed
Government plans to deliver 1.58 million electricity connections, combining both on-grid and off-grid solutions.
Under the first phase, Umeme completed 155,088 electricity connections before its concession expired on March 31, 2025, against a target of 663,500 connections.
Following the transfer of electricity distribution operations to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), the utility signed implementation agreements with the ministry in July 2025 to connect 896,435 customers.
As of June 30, 2026, UEDCL had completed 79,040 new connections under the project.
The ministry encouraged households requiring one-pole or no-pole connections to apply through UEDCL, noting that applicants only pay inspection and initial electricity credit charges totaling about UGX 26,550, while the government covers the connection costs.
Officials expect connection numbers to rise sharply after procurement of connection materials, with UEDCL targeting 30,000 new connections in August 2026 before increasing to more than 40,000 connections per month thereafter.
Grid expansion to reach refugee districts and industrial parks
Beyond household connections, the project will construct 2,900 kilometres of medium-voltage lines, 3,100 kilometres of low-voltage lines, and install approximately 1,200 distribution transformers across more than 100 districts.
Nearly half of the planned grid expansion will benefit refugee-hosting districts, including Adjumani, Yumbe, Koboko, Lamwo, Kiryandongo, Kikuube and Isingiro.
The project will also extend electricity infrastructure to six industrial parks located in Nebbi, Pader, Soroti, Kasese, Rukungiri and Kisoro.
Procurement of contractors and grid expansion materials is still underway.
Off-grid subsidies expanded nationwide
The Electricity Access Scale-up Project also includes a major off-grid component implemented by the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC).
Through participating financial institutions and energy service companies, the programme offers subsidised solar home systems, clean cooking technologies and productive-use equipment such as solar-powered irrigation pumps, refrigerators, grain milling machines and water heaters.
According to the ministry, more than 100 energy service companies have signed agreements to supply eligible products at discounted prices across the country.
Schools, health centres and water schemes benefit
Government also reported progress in electrifying public institutions.
Under the Ministry of Water and Environment, 40 solar-powered water schemes have already been completed and are operational, while four additional schemes are under installation and another 50 are being designed.
Under the Ministry of Education and Sports, installation works are ongoing at 45 schools selected for electrification.
Meanwhile, 172 health centres have been identified for electrification under the Ministry of Health, with procurement of service providers in progress.
The project has also begun introducing clean cooking technologies in public institutions. Electric pressure cookers have already been installed and commissioned at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, while installation of LPG, biomass and biogas cooking systems is continuing at more than 120 additional sites.
Delays linked to supply challenges
Despite the progress, the ministry acknowledged that rollout of new electricity connections has been slower than planned because some local suppliers failed to deliver connection materials on schedule.
To address the bottlenecks, government has authorized UEDCL to source materials from international suppliers while continuing efforts to strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
The ministry also said it is working with the Ministry of Finance to secure compensation funds for project-affected persons. About UGX 40 billion is required, but only UGX 18 billion has so far been made available.
The Electricity Access Scale-up Project is scheduled to close on June 30, 2027. Government says completing procurement for grid expansion works and accelerating customer connections remain the key priorities during the final year of implementation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
