What Will Happen to 90% of UMEME Staff Amid UEDCL Takeover

Big changes are happening in Uganda’s electricity sector as UMEME’s 20-year concession officially comes to an end on March 31. With this shift, many people have been concerned about what will happen to UMEME workers.

Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu has now confirmed that 90% of UMEME’s employees have been successfully recruited by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).

This means that most workers will continue with their jobs under the new government-run electricity distributor.

However, not everyone was lucky. Sadly, 191 UMEME workers were left out of the transition process, leaving them uncertain about their future.

The transition from UMEME to UEDCL has been carefully monitored, with many Ugandans worried about job losses and the stability of power services.

Minister Nankabirwa assured the public that efforts are being made to ensure a smooth shift.

She also addressed common frustrations with power outages, explaining that when there is a problem like a fallen electricity pole or a faulty transformer, there are no quick fixes. Power must be switched off in affected areas to carry out repairs.

Another major challenge the minister pointed out is vandalism. Many power disruptions are caused by people who steal electrical infrastructure. She urged communities to help protect power installations to avoid unnecessary blackouts.

As Uganda takes full control of electricity distribution, the coming months will be crucial in determining how the sector performs.

While most UMEME workers have secured jobs, those who were left out will now have to explore new opportunities or wait for possible job openings in the future.