According to ERA, Ugandans will now get more electricity for their money after the takeover of power distribution from Umeme on March 31st came with the bounties such as rebranding to Light and lower power tariffs.
It’s a new era and even if it also sounds as ERA, electricity regulators are promising Ugandan consumers better value for their money so that they never confused era with error.
According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Ugandans will now get more electricity for their money after the takeover of power distribution from Umeme on March 31st came with the bounties such as rebranding to Light and lower power tariffs.
This change comes as Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) takes over from Umeme.
Dr Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi, the ERA chairperson, stated that the new rates are designed to make electricity more affordable.
“We have adjusted tariffs based on factors like inflation, exchange rates, and electricity supply changes,” she said.
For many Ugandans, the most important question is: how much power will Shs10,000 buy now compared to before?
How Many Units Will You Get for Shs1,000?
Under the new UEDCL pricing:
- First 15 units in a month (lifeline rate):Shs250 per unit
- Shs1,000 buys you 4 units
- Shs10,000 buys you 40 units
- After 15 units in a month: Shs756.2 per unit
- Shs1,000 buys you 1.3 units
- Shs10,000 buys you about 13 units
This means small consumers benefit more from the lower lifeline rates, while higher consumption leads to higher costs per unit.
What About Businesses and Factories?
- Large industries (off-peak hours): Shs231.6 per unit
- Public hospitals and streetlights: Shs360 per unit
A household using a single-phase meter will now pay only Shs 250 per unit for the first 15 units they buy in a month.
This is cheaper than before when Umeme was in charge.
This means that if you buy electricity for the first time in a month with Shs10,000, you will get 40 units.
Under Umeme, you would get around 30 to 35 units for the same amount.
However, if you buy power a second or third time in the same month, the price per unit goes up because you have already used the cheaper lifeline units.
After the first 15 units, each unit now costs Shs756.2, so if you load Shs10,000 later in the month, you will get about 13 units.
Under Umeme, you would get about the same number of units, but the lifeline units were more expensive, meaning people who use less power each month will benefit more from the new changes.
The government has also reduced power costs for businesses and factories. Large industries will now pay as low as Shs231.6 per unit during off-peak hours, which will help reduce production costs.
Public hospitals and streetlights will pay Shs360 per unit to ensure that essential services remain affordable.
Dr. Kanaabi said these changes will lower the cost of doing business and encourage more industries to grow.
“When factories pay less for power, the cost of production goes down. This means the prices of goods and services might also reduce,” she explained.
Ugandans can check their electricity bills to see how much they are being charged per unit.
The new prices apply from April to June 2025, and ERA has encouraged people to visit their website at www.era.go.ug or call for more information.
