NETA threatens legal action over unreliable electricity supply

5 November 2026, 7:32 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (NETA) Uganda has threatened legal action against the Acting Managing Director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and the Attorney General over persistent electricity supply challenges affecting businesses across the country.

The association has also urged members of the public, particularly business owners, to submit petitions accompanied by evidence of losses and damage to property caused by power interruptions and voltage fluctuations.

Speaking to journalists at the association’s headquarters in Kampala, NETA Uganda President, Dr. Thadeus Naggenda Musoke, presented a statement outlining the challenges affecting businesses and called for practical interventions to address them.

“NETA Uganda calls for practical, coordinated action to make economic growth more meaningful to ordinary Ugandans. Unreliable electricity, power interruptions and voltage fluctuations disrupt operations, damage equipment and stock, and threaten livelihoods. We demand the resignation of the UEDCL Acting Managing Director,” Musoke said.

The association also highlighted the rising cost of doing business, citing expenses such as rent, transport, fuel, electricity, licences, financing and regulatory compliance, which it says are reducing business profitability and threatening employment opportunities.

Other concerns raised include limited access to affordable financing, regulatory and administrative burdens, regional trade barriers and youth unemployment. NETA Uganda called for increased access to practical skills training, entrepreneurship support, incubation programmes, technology and start-up financing for young people.

Meanwhile, the association’s legal counsel, David Kintu, said his clients had instructed him to pursue legal action against the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the Attorney General if the relevant authorities failed to address their concerns.

“I have been instructed to gather signatures from members of the public, especially business people who have been affected by the unavailability of power,” Kintu said.

He urged affected business owners to submit supporting evidence, including damaged computers and other electrical equipment, to strengthen their complaints.

NETA Uganda Public Relations Officer, Muhumuza Muwaasi, attributed the persistent power interruptions to alleged sabotage by some former employees of UMEME, claiming that they were attempting to regain control of the electricity distribution business.

“There are some former employees of UMEME in the system who are sabotaging the system to regain the contract. We have enough electricity as a country, which is why we even supply some to other countries,” Muwaasi alleged.

The association also reminded the business community about its forthcoming awards and encouraged interested members to visit its website for further information.