As part of ongoing efforts to modernize Uganda’s electricity infrastructure and meet global standards, the upgrade of prepaid Yaka meters is crucial. Ruth Nankabirwa, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, has announced that 129,000 customers across the country’s primary electricity distributors—Umeme and UEDCL—still need to complete their prepaid meter upgrades. This upgrade is vital to ensure that the meters remain functional in the wake of the global Token Identifier (TID) rollover, which is set for November 24, 2024.
The upgrade follows guidelines from the Standard Transfer Specification (STS) Association, a global body responsible for ensuring secure and efficient prepaid electricity systems. Meters that fail to meet the required upgrade standards will no longer accept new tokens, risking service interruptions for affected customers.
With only months left until the TID rollover, progress has been commendable, with 95.5% of prepaid meters successfully upgraded across Uganda. This includes approximately 2.2 million customers under Umeme and UEDCL, and full compliance in regions served by Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) and Western Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO).
However, Nankabirwa highlighted that about 129,000 individuals, or 4.5% of customers, have yet to complete their upgrades. The breakdown shows 112,000 Umeme customers and 17,122 UEDCL customers still needing to finalize their upgrades. The Minister emphasized the urgency of completing these upgrades to prevent any inconvenience.
Several factors have contributed to the delay in upgrades, including vacant rental properties, absent homeowners (especially those living abroad), meter bypassing due to theft, properties under legal dispute, or owners who have passed away. To address this, the Ministry and the respective electricity distributors have launched an extensive outreach campaign. Affected customers are being contacted directly through SMS alerts, phone calls, and public media broadcasts.
To ensure timely upgrades, the Ministry has deployed technicians to manually upgrade meters that are accessible. Additionally, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has ramped up efforts to ensure nationwide compliance with the upgrade mandate. Since May 2024, all newly installed meters are compliant with the new system, and customers with these installations do not need to take any further action unless they are uncertain of their meter’s status.
The Minister urged all customers to complete their upgrades promptly, ensuring uninterrupted electricity access and token purchases. “We are grateful for the cooperation of most customers who have already completed the upgrade,” Nankabirwa said, stressing the need for the remaining customers to act quickly. The government remains committed to a modern, reliable, and universally accessible electricity system for all Ugandans.
