“They Are Making Us Cry for Our Lost Umeme”: Speaker Oboth Questions Persistent Power Blackouts

[Da Dona]

Ugandans continue to express frustration over persistent electricity outages since The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL)took over power distribution from Umeme in April 2025. The frequent blackouts have disrupted businesses, affected household activities, damaged electrical appliances and forced some businesses to rely on costly generators.

The concerns were raised in Parliament, where Speaker Jacob Oboth questioned the continued power interruptions, wondering how Ugandans could celebrate amid unreliable electricity supply.
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“They are making us cry for our lost Umeme. Can you imagine when we should be celebrating?” Oboth remarked.​

Responding, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said Umeme had failed to maintain some old power lines after learning that its contract would not be renewed, leaving UEDCL with ageing infrastructure.

She explained that transformer procurement and ongoing repair works were contributing to the outages.

Nabbanja also promised to prioritise Namutumba District in restoring electricity but did not provide a specific deadline.

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