By Shamim Saad and Catherine Kahubire
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has pledged to eradicate tenacious power outages affecting investors in industrial parks.
This was reaffirmed during the Investors’ Baraza at Mbalala Industrial Park on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 marking a big win for the private sector.
Speaking during the event, the UEDCL Head of Distribution, Eng. Samson Ntondo who represented the Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa noted that they are committed to serving investors better.
“We shall use part of the $74 million acquired by UEDCL to improve the availability of power and reliability on the grid network”. He remarked
He further explained that the majority of investors on the network tend to increase capacity without informing UEDCL which causes imbalances in the grid that contribute to power outages.
Ntondo also pointed out the vandalism of electric conductors by smelting companies and power cuts due to natural disasters like heavy rains as some of the challenges they face, which greatly impacts power connectivity.
The Head of Commercial and Operations at UEDCL, Jessica Florence Zziwa, echoed the utility’s commitment to dependable service delivery.
“Our mandate is to light up the world and ensure reliable and affordable power. The newly commissioned substation in Mukono North is part of our plan to meet the demanding industrial power needs,” she stated.
The State Minister of Privatization and Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, acknowledged the government’s commitment to resolving utility impasses in industrial parks.
“The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) is working closely with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and the Ministry of Energy to accelerate solutions to these power issues,” she noted.
Anite further stressed that Uganda’s economy is undergoing significant transformation.
“We are growing at a rate of 7%. Industrialization is now at the center stage, creating jobs and reducing our reliance on imports. The partnership between government and investors has never been stronger,” she said.
The Board Chairman of UIA, Robert Kyamanywa expressed contentment with the rising number of local investors in Mbalala Industrial Park.
“Our goal is to empower domestic investment to play a critical role in the economy,” he remarked.
Mbalala Industrial Park is filled with approximately 40 factories, employing more than 50,000 workers. Developed by the government, the park features essential infrastructure including electricity, roads, water, and internet connectivity to support industrial growth.
The Deputy Director General at UIA, Martin Muhangi, heartened investors to exploit the UIA One Stop Centre, created to reduce bureaucratic delays.
“We recognize the challenges investors face and have established platforms to ease doing business. We also invite investors to explore the vast opportunities across sectors,” he said.
The UIA launched the Baraza initiative to tackle the challenges encountered by both domestic and foreign investors across the country.
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