Human cost of illegal electricity connections in Uganda

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OPINION

By Mukisa Paul Mugoya

Electricity is one of the indicators of modernisation; it powers our homes, businesses and industries. But across Uganda, a silent and deadly crisis persists, and that is the growing menace of illegal electricity connections. Behind every illegal wire thrown over a power line lies a story of risk, desperation and neglect.

In my district, Iganga, for example, residents have resorted to connecting themselves to power lines under the cover of darkness. It is common to see people throwing wires over transmission lines or using sticks to hook onto nearby poles whenever there is a wedding, burial or community celebration. Such makeshift connections not only endanger those who make them but also threaten entire communities with fire and electrocution.

In Urban slums like Katanga,  Nakulabye and Bwaise, the situation is equally alarming. One person may illegally tap electricity and extend it to more than twenty households or roadside stalls,  charging a small fee per connection. Along some streets, entire rows of kiosks and night markets depend on these unsafe power links. The tangled web of wires hanging across roads and drainage channels is a clear symbol of both ingenuity and poverty, people trying at any cost.

The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL), which is now in charge after taking over from UMEME, has raised concerns over the increasing rate of illegal connections and power theft. According to UEDCL reports, thousands of cases are registered annually, leading to millions of shillings in revenue loss and, more importantly, avoidable deaths. In some regions like West Nile, Masaka and Northern Uganda, UEDCL partnered with the police and resident district officers to crack down on illegal connections, arrest offenders and destroy the makeshift lines.

Recently, several cases have been taken to court, where individuals found guilty of power theft face fines or imprisonment under the Electricity Act, 1999 (as amended). However, the penalties alone may not be enough to deter the vice. In many cases, those arrested are simply low-income earners or small traders who cannot afford official connection fees. Once released, they often return to the same illegal practices because their need for electricity remains unmet.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and UEDCL have introduced awareness campaigns, encouraging communities to report illegal users and promoting the use of safe, Subsidised connections through the Electricity Connection Policy (ECP). This policy, which aims to increase access to electricity for all Ugandans, allows government-subsidised connections for first-time users, especially in rural areas. Unfortunately, funding delays and bureaucratic challenges have slowed down its implementation, leaving many households in darkness.

This is where a strategic communication approach becomes critical. Authorities need to go beyond punitive measures and invest in consistent community engagement. Village chairpersons, parish chiefs, and local radio stations can play a vital role in sensitising people about the dangers of illegal connections and the available legal alternatives.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development should strengthen collaboration with local governments to map high-risk areas and prioritise them for affordable legal connections. A community-based monitoring model where trained local youths assist UEDCL and ERA in identifying illegal connections could also help curb the problem while creating jobs.

We must remember that this issue is not only technical but deeply human. Each year, families lose loved ones to electrocution caused by exposed wires or overloaded circuits. In Bwaise, a certain building caught fire last year when an overloaded illegal line short-circuited, destroying property worth millions. These tragedies are preventable if we treat access to safe electricity as a right, not a privilege.

Uganda’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2040 will remain a dream if we ignore the underlying social causes driving people to illegal power use. Addressing the problem requires empathy, stronger regulation, affordable connection options, and above all, community participation.

Illegal electricity connections are not just a crime; they are a symptom of inequality, poverty, and the high cost of living. Solving them requires more than arrests; it requires understanding, collaboration, and commitment from all stakeholders, UEDCL, ERA, police, courts, policymakers, and the people themselves.

As a country, we must light every home safely. No Ugandan should have to risk death or imprisonment just to enjoy the basic comfort of light.

MBA student at Makerere University Business School