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UEDCL intensifies fight against bush burning to reduce costs and outages

17 February 2026, 11:57 am

UEDCL officials and district leaders during the engagement meeting in Lira. Photo: Okwong Geoffrey.

By Okwong Geoffrey

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has intensified efforts to curb bush burning across six districts, warning that the practice is contributing to frequent power outages, damage to electricity infrastructure, and rising operational costs.

Leaders from the six districts convened on Thursday at the Lira District Council Hall for a stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by UEDCL to address the growing challenge of bush burning. The meeting brought together political leaders, security officials, and civil servants to discuss practical measures to tackle the issue.

Speaking during the engagement, Duncan Mwesigwa, Manager of Territorial Operations for the Central North Service Territory, said uncontrolled fires damage electricity poles, wires, and transformers, leading to load shedding and increased maintenance costs that ultimately affect consumers.

Mwesigwa, who also serves as Head of Commercial Operations in the Central North region covering parts of East Lango, Abim, and down to Masindi, noted that the region is relatively more industrialised compared to other parts of Northern Uganda.

He revealed that the company collects about UGX 10 billion monthly from the region, amounting to approximately UGX 120 billion annually. However, he warned that if bush burning is not controlled, revenue could decline, and small cottage industries that depend on a stable electricity supply may collapse.

Duncan Mwesigwa on the costs of maintaining power supply and the impact of bush burning.

LCV Chairperson for Lira District, RCM Okello Orik, described bush burning as a dangerous practice that remains common in some communities. He noted that in parts of the Acholi sub-region, the availability of idle land and hunting activities contribute to the practice, while others burn bushes to clear farmland ahead of the planting season.

Okello Orik on how vacant land contributes to bush burning.

In his closing remarks, Peter Douglas Okao, the LCV Chairperson for Omoro District, urged leaders to become ambassadors for UEDCL in the fight against bush burning.

Okao noted that the region is promoting local businesses and expanding coffee cultivation, both of which rely on a reliable power supply and environmental conservation. He pledged Omoro District’s full support in mobilising communities to eliminate the practice.

Peter Douglas Okao on partnering with UEDCL in the anti–bush burning campaign.

The districts represented at the meeting included Pader, Abim, Omoro, Apac, Kwania, and Lira. Those in attendance included RDCs, Deputy RDCs, LCV Chairpersons, CAOs, and other political and technical leaders.