Uganda's nationwide grid collapsed, but power was restored at midnight.

Uganda was plunged into darkness on Friday night after a major failure on the national electricity grid, leaving the entire country without power for several hours. The outage began at approximately 9:07 PM on June 5, 2026, according to an emergency notice from the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). Power was fully restored to many parts of the country by midnight, with officials confirming that supply had returned in major urban centers.
The incident triggered an immediate response from technical teams at UETCL, which manages the high-voltage transmission network, and UEDCL, responsible for distribution. Both entities issued public alerts apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring citizens that restoration efforts were underway. By Saturday morning, June 6, UEDCL confirmed that power supply had been restored nationwide, though some rural areas may have experienced slightly delayed recovery.
This marks another significant grid disturbance in recent months, occurring shortly after the full transition of electricity distribution from the private operator Umeme, whose 20-year concession ended in March 2025. The handover to the state-owned UEDCL has raised public concerns about infrastructure reliability and the capacity of the new operator to maintain stable supply.
Preliminary reports suggest a technical fault may have originated at a key facility, with some sources pointing to possible issues around the Owen Falls Dam (Nalubaale Power Station) in Jinja, though official confirmation on the exact cause remains pending. UETCL stated that investigations into the root cause are ongoing as part of efforts to prevent future occurrences.
The blackout affected households, businesses, hospitals, and essential services across the country, including the Kigezi sub-region. Residents reported disruptions to daily activities, with many using alternative lighting sources during the evening hours. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions, ranging from frustration over repeated outages to appreciation for the relatively quick restoration compared to past incidents.
Energy officials have emphasized that the swift response demonstrates improved coordination in emergency situations. However, the event has revived broader discussions about the need for substantial investments in grid modernization, maintenance of aging infrastructure, and expansion of generation capacity to meet growing demand.
Uganda’s power sector has faced recurring challenges, including equipment failures, overloads, and external factors such as vandalism. The transition to full government management through UEDCL was intended to improve service delivery and expand access, but incidents like this highlight the complexities involved in sustaining a reliable national grid.
UEDCL has advised customers still facing issues to report them through official channels. Authorities urge the public to remain patient as full normalization is completed and to report any suspicious activities around power infrastructure.
Looking ahead, stakeholders expect the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, along with UETCL and UEDCL, to provide a detailed report on the collapse and outline preventive measures. Enhanced investments in smart grid technologies, redundancy systems, and regional interconnections could help build greater resilience against such disruptions in the future.
For residents in areas like Kigezi, where reliable power is critical for agriculture, small businesses, and healthcare, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of backup solutions and ongoing advocacy for improved electricity services.