November 3, 2026 (Vanguard/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has challenged the government to prioritise connecting underserved communities to electricity before expanding power exports to neighbouring countries, arguing that millions of Ugandans still lack reliable and affordable electricity.
The opposition party says Uganda should address domestic electricity needs, particularly in rural areas, before celebrating regional electricity trade.
FDC Vice Chairperson Robert Centenary said the government must explain how electricity exports are benefiting Ugandans, especially communities that remain unconnected despite hosting major electricity infrastructure.
"We are concerned about the government's continued emphasis on exporting electricity to neighbouring countries while millions of Ugandans remain without access to reliable and affordable electricity," Centenary said during a media briefing at the party headquarters in Kampala.
He argued that providing essential services to Ugandans should take precedence over supplying neighbouring countries.
According to World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) data cited by FDC, Uganda exported electricity worth approximately $60.47 million (about Shs223 billion) in 2025, equivalent to 618.3 million kilowatt-hours.
Kenya accounted for $25.10 million in exports, followed by Rwanda with $17.82 million, Tanzania with $17.21 million, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with about $342,680.
Uganda has also pursued electricity trade with South Sudan. In June 2023, the two countries signed a Power Sales Agreement prioritising the construction of a 308-kilometre, 400-kilovolt transmission line linking Olwiyo in Uganda to Juba.
However, FDC questioned the expansion of such regional arrangements while communities in areas such as West Nile, which borders South Sudan, continue to experience limited electricity access.
Centenary said the government should explain why communities along transmission corridors have not benefited more from the infrastructure passing through their areas.
The party cited figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics' 2026 presentation of the Uganda Harmonised Integrated Survey covering 2021/22 to 2024/25, which showed that only 29.5% of Ugandan households used grid electricity for lighting in 2024/25.
The picture was even more pronounced in rural areas, where just 11.4% of households relied on grid electricity for lighting.
FDC said the figures raise questions about the implementation of previous government commitments on rural electrification.
The party pointed to pledges in the NRM's 2016-2021 manifesto to expand electricity generation, transmission and distribution, alongside further commitments in the 2021-2026 manifesto to build thousands of kilometres of distribution lines, connect previously unserved sub-county headquarters and target more than 300,000 household connections annually.
The manifesto also included about Shs45 billion to extend electricity to Buvuma and Sigulu islands.
Centenary questioned the implementation of those commitments, calling for accountability on the funds spent and the number of households connected.
He also sought an update on the proposed nuclear power project in Nakasongola, asking the government to disclose how much has been spent and the project's implementation status.
"The government must account for the commitments it made to Ugandans. These manifestos are not merely campaign documents. They are commitments made to the people of Uganda," Centenary said.
The opposition party also argued that electricity remains expensive for ordinary consumers, small businesses and industries despite government promises to improve affordability.
FDC wants the government to publish a comprehensive implementation report on electricity commitments made in the two NRM manifestos.
It is also calling for a nationwide connection programme targeting underserved villages, parishes, sub-counties and trading centres, with priority given to rural health facilities, schools, markets and industrial centres.
The party specifically wants faster electrification in West Nile, Buvuma, Obongi and Karamoja, alongside lower connection charges, more affordable tariffs for households and small businesses, and greater transparency on electricity exports and the revenue they generate.
Centenary said Uganda could continue exporting electricity where genuine surplus capacity exists, but domestic consumers should remain the priority.
"We are not asking the government to provide electricity for free. We are demanding that the government gives its own people the opportunity to access and pay for this essential service," he said.
In its 2026 manifesto, FDC says it intends to increase electricity generation capacity to 4,000 megawatts, promote renewable energy, expand distribution infrastructure and reduce electricity costs for domestic consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
COMTEX_1002339369/2029/2026-11-03T07:35:18
