On the 13^th of December 2022, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu announced a reduction of costs for a no-pole customer connection.

The Minister launched the Hybrid Electricity Customer Connection Credit Framework which combines a subsidy of UGX 250,883 by the Government of Uganda, and a credit line of UGX 270,000 by the Uganda Development Bank (UDB)  payable through a 15 percent deduction off a customer’s energy purchases over a period of Eight (8) years.

In her statement delivered at the Ministry Headquarters at Amber House, she indicated that the cost of connection for electricity customers who do not require a pole to be connected has been reduced from UGX 720,883 to  UGX 470,000 which the customer can pay as a lump sum or make a down payment of UGX 200,000 and access the credit line. Any bad debt will be considered a subsidy to the customers, and it will be provided by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) with their anchor partner the Rockefeller Foundation.

Hon. Nankabirwa commended ERA and UDB for the effort toward accelerating access to Electricity noting that the framework will go a long way in transforming many livelihoods.

As a pilot, the Framework will be rolled out for Umeme Limited and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited customers.

The Launch was notably attended by the ERA Board Chairperson, Dr. Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi, the ERA CEO, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the CEO Of Uganda Development Bank, Ms. Patricia Ojangole, representatives of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and the Licensees Umeme Limited and UEDCL were present.

The Framework is in response to the concerns of electricity consumers of not being able to afford the connection fees of Uganda shillings 720,883 and it takes immediate effect.