UEDCL calls for private sector partnerships as it unveils $74m investment budget

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced a USD 74 million (UGX 285 billion) investment budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, positioning itself as a major growth node in Uganda’s energy value chain—and inviting private sector players to cash in.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Power & Elec Uganda International Expo 2025 on Thursday, UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa said the company is opening up supply chain contracts and workforce expansion to deepen local private sector participation and stimulate economic growth.

“This year’s procurement and supplies budget exceeds USD 74 million, with more than 10 tenders now open for transformers, meters, cables, and other critical equipment,” Mwesigwa announced. “We’re encouraging companies to submit competitive bids—we are creating room for all serious players.”

UEDCL, a government-owned utility, manages electricity distribution infrastructure at 33 kV and below. Since reclaiming the network from Umeme, the utility has moved quickly to attract private partnerships and suppliers, particularly those aligned with Uganda’s Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy.

“Wherever possible, we procure locally,” Mwesigwa said. “It’s our philosophy to stimulate the national economy through Ugandan-made products. From copper cables to pre-paid meters, we want Ugandan suppliers in the front line.”

In a significant policy shift, Mwesigwa revealed that the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has accredited UEDCL to directly award meter contracts worth up to UGX 24 billion to domestic suppliers—well above the international bidding threshold of USD 1 million (UGX 3.6 billion).

“This is a win for local industry. We want every Ugandan firm with capacity to embrace this opportunity,” he added.

The utility is also ramping up human capital to support the network’s expansion—growing from 2,600 employees to more than 3,600. In the short term, 102 new positions are being filled, with a recruitment pipeline of 900 more.

Held under the theme “The Future of Energy: Smart, Clean, and Connected,” this year’s Power & Elec Expo has drawn more than 100 exhibitors from eight countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, spanning sectors including power, renewables, lighting, telecommunications, batteries, and smart grid systems.

The business-to-business platform provides a space for serious dealmaking, networking, and technology exchange. According to Digvijay Singh, CEO of Exhibition & Trade Services India, the event has grown into a key gateway for companies eyeing Uganda and East Africa’s energy boom.

“This is not just an exhibition—it’s a marketplace for innovation and investment,” Singh said. “Uganda’s energy sector is one of the most open and promising in the region.”

Dr. Ezra Muhumuza Rubanda, Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, called for even greater visibility and support for clean energy technologies, arguing that events like the Expo help convert climate finance talk into tangible action.

“We’ve had enough global dialogues. This Expo is about real technologies, local enterprise, and bankable solutions,” he said.

Representing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Abdon Atwine, Commissioner for Rural Electrification, said Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan is at a critical phase—shifting from legacy infrastructure to renewable, efficient, and smart energy systems.

“This exhibition is a catalyst for both investment and innovation,” he said. “Whether it’s mini-grids, e-mobility, clean cooking, or even our future nuclear ambitions—this is where the groundwork is laid.”

Dan Malon, Chairperson of the Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA), emphasized that the private sector is not just a beneficiary but a central driver of Uganda’s energy ambitions.

“The Expo is about business linkages, technology transfer, and unlocking new commercial opportunities. It’s how we build the ecosystem needed to power households, industries, and national development.”

As Uganda advances toward Vision 2040 and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, all eyes are now on how the government and private sector will translate climate and energy goals into long-term bankable investments.