Umeme Limited will today hand over operations to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) after over two decades of being the power distribution company in Uganda.
In a statement issued by Umeme this morning, the company indicated that they are ready to hand over power distribution to UEDCL.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) have assured Ugandans that there will be minimal or no disruptions in the delivery of services.
However, Ugandans are raising concerns, particularly about the Yaka token and Yaka meters, and whether they will remain operational after Umeme exits.
For clarification, Yaka is the property of the Government of Uganda and is paid for through the end-user tariff.
Will tariffs change?
The Ministry of Energy stated that tariffs will remain unchanged, as they are set by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA). UEDCL has no authority to alter the tariffs, according to the Ministry.
Will UEDCL charge a service fee?
No, service fees are already included in the tariff set by ERA. UEDCL cannot impose additional charges.
Can I continue making payments on my current UMEME postpaid account?
Yes, postpaid customers will continue making payments through the same channels under UEDCL.
Customers will continue purchasing Yaka through telecommunications platforms (MTN and Airtel) and FINTECH platforms.
However, starting today, Umeme Touch Pay will be decommissioned, and UEDCL will take over. There will be no disruption to the purchasing process.
Any unconsumed units purchased before March 31, 2025, will remain valid, and customers can continue using them without any loss.
Meter numbers will remain unchanged. UEDCL will maintain the existing system for meter accounts, ensuring continuity for customers.
Customer Service and Support:
UEDCL will continue using digital platforms like WhatsApp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and podcasts for customer service.
Complaints and inquiries:
Complaints that remain unresolved by April 1 will continue to be addressed by UEDCL through toll-free call center lines: 0800285285, 0800385385, and 800203088, as well as digital platforms such as WhatsApp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and podcasts.
All pending customers in the system at the time of the handover will be connected by UEDCL. No connection fees will need to be repaid.
The current Umeme offices will remain operational under UEDCL. UEDCL owns 26 of the 51 area offices previously operated by Umeme.
Postpaid customers will continue making payments through the same banks and methods until further notice. UEDCL will ensure a smooth transition of payment systems.
