BREAKING!! UEDCL Light Token System Breaks Down – Ugandans Likely To Face Blackout For Weeks

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced that its light vending system has broken down with customers unable to purchase light token across all platforms.

The announcement was made on the afternoon of Saturday, 20th September, 2025 in a brief statement on X Platform.

The body tasked with managing distribution of electricity after the exit of Umeme however, says their IT Team is working around the clock to have the system up and running by 6:00PM today.

“We are currently experiencing downtime with our Light Vending System. As a result customers are unable to purchase Light tokens across all platforms,” reads the statement signed by Jonan Kizza, Head of Corporate and Stakeholders Affairs.

As of late September 2025, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is experiencing recurring power outages, system overloads, and an intermittent token vending system.

The problems, which UEDCL attributes to aging infrastructure, increased demand, and vandalism, have led to public frustration following the company’s full takeover of power distribution from Umeme in March 2025.

Current issues

System malfunctions: As recently as September 20, 2025, UEDCL has had to address issues with its token vending system, with customers on social media reporting they could not purchase electricity units through mobile money or banking apps.

Persistent blackouts: There have been numerous reports of power outages in various parts of the country, with complaints coming from areas such as Kampala and Mukono. The company has acknowledged customer frustration over prolonged blackouts and poor communication.

Overloaded infrastructure: The utility has stated that growing electricity demand has caused existing substations to operate at near or over capacity, especially during peak hours, leading to deliberate load shedding in some areas.

Aging facilities: According to UEDCL, many of the power distribution facilities were inherited from the previous provider, Umeme, and are old and deteriorated.

Vandalism: The theft of power infrastructure, including poles and transformer oil, is an ongoing problem that contributes to operational costs, damage to equipment, and outages.

UEDCL’s Response And Future Plans

UEDCL is taking several steps to address the issues and improve its services:

Investment in upgrades: With new funding, the company began upgrading substations, refurbishing lines, and installing new transformers across the network in mid-2025.

Addressing backlog: By the end of 2025, UEDCL aims to clear the backlog of over 127,000 pending electricity connections.

Maintenance schedules: UEDCL regularly announces planned power shutdowns for maintenance and upgrades, which it posts on its website and social media.

Fighting power theft: In late August 2025, UEDCL launched an amnesty campaign, warning that after September 30, it would crack down on illegal power connections with the help of security agencies.

Customer support: The company has launched a 24/7 customer service center and multiple touchpoints for bill payments.