UEDCL cautions public against illegal connections and transformer overloading

16 May 2026, 10:10 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Residents in Pader District have been urged to avoid illegal electricity connections and overloading transformers in order to protect electricity infrastructure from damage.

Speaking to our reporter, Samuel Ojwang, the manager of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited in Pader said overloading is one of the leading causes of transformer failures.

According to Ojwang, transformers are designed to carry a specific amount of electricity load, but when too many homes, businesses, or illegal connections are attached to one transformer, the equipment overheats and eventually breaks down.

He explained that illegal electricity connections contribute heavily to transformer damage because they are not included in the company’s electricity planning.

Ojwang noted that illegal tapping of electricity can also cause phase imbalance, sparks, and short circuits, which greatly reduce the lifespan of transformers.

He revealed that while transformers are expected to last between 15 and 20 years, those exposed to illegal connections and overloading may fail in less than five years.

Ojwang further warned that old transformers are more vulnerable to internal faults because the insulating oil inside them weakens over time.

He added that heavy rains and flooding also contribute to transformer damage by allowing moisture to enter transformer bushings and cable terminals, leading to rusting and short circuits.

According to Ojwang, transformer-related faults are more common during rainy seasons, which is why UEDCL carries out regular inspections of transformers and power lines.

He urged communities to play a key role in protecting transformers by reporting illegal electricity connections, clearing tree branches near power lines, and monitoring suspicious activities around transformers and substations.

Ojwang also advised residents to avoid connecting heavy machines such as welding equipment without informing UEDCL so that transformers can first be upgraded to handle the extra load.

On vandalism, Ojwang acknowledged cases involving theft of transformer oil, copper components, cables, and earth rods, although he noted that such incidents are not yet widespread in Pader District.

He appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, broken transformer locks, missing parts, or oil leakages to UEDCL before the situation becomes dangerous.

SP Jackson Bogere, the District Police Commander of Pader District, when contacted about cases of vandalism and theft related to electricity infrastructure being reported to police, acknowledged that since his deployment to the district, the Police have not received any official complaints concerning the vice.

Electricity vandalism in Uganda costs the economy hundreds of billions of shillings annually. Out of the roughly 17.5% registered power losses on the national grid, illegal connections and vandalism account for about 8.3%.

The crisis causes massive power blackouts, hinders rural electrification goals, and costs taxpayers over Shs 260 billion in infrastructure replacements.