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Powering Ahead: The Reform of the Electricity Sector in Uganda

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  • Joseph Mawejje
  • Ezra Munyambonera
  • Lawrence Bategeka

Abstract

Uganda is among the very few countries in Africa that have fully embraced reforms in the electricity sector. These reforms that included unbundling, privatization, and the creation of an independent regulator were intended to improve sector performance and efficiency. The key feature of Uganda’s model is that it sought privatization in the form of concessions and encouraged competition in the form of independent power producers on long term contracts. By focusing on developments in the generation and distribution segments, this paper gives a recount of the reforms and evaluates the progress made. Despite the post reform crises that rocked the electricity sector in 2005–2006 and again in 2011–2012 occurrences of load shedding have reduced greatly; the crisis periods have been replaced by promising developments. This has been on account of additional generation capacity and the Umeme license review that set new operational targets in distribution. We argue that the renewed Government commitment in the sector is set to lead to improved sector performance. In addition we propose some policy and regulatory measures that could lead to further improvements in the sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Mawejje & Ezra Munyambonera & Lawrence Bategeka, 2013. "Powering Ahead: The Reform of the Electricity Sector in Uganda," Energy and Environment Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 3(2), pages 126-126, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:eerjnl:v:3:y:2013:i:2:p:126
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mwaura, Francis M., 2012. "Adopting electricity prepayment billing system to reduce non-technical energy losses in Uganda: Lesson from Rwanda," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 72-79.
    2. Simon Peter Engurait, 2005. "Power sector reforms in Uganda: status and achievements," International Journal of Global Energy Issues, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 23(2/3), pages 110-118.
    3. Gratwick, Katharine Nawaal & Eberhard, Anton, 2008. "Demise of the standard model for power sector reform and the emergence of hybrid power markets," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 3948-3960, October.
    4. Wamukonya, Njeri, 2003. "Power sector reform in developing countries: mismatched agendas," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1273-1289, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Klug, Thomas W. & Beyene, Abebe D. & Meles, Tensay H. & Toman, Michael A. & Hassen, Sied & Hou, Michael & Klooss, Benjamin & Mekonnen, Alemu & Jeuland, Marc, 2022. "A review of impacts of electricity tariff reform in Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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