Namyalo Links Power Blackouts to Alleged Plot to Destabilise Museveni Government

Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), has raised concerns over persistent electricity blackouts, high power costs and delayed connections, alleging that the failures could be exploited to undermine President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government.

Namyalo warned that unreliable electricity threatens livelihoods, frustrates service delivery and could fuel public discontent if authorities fail to address citizens’ concerns.

She called for greater accountability from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), demanding explanations for persistent outages despite the country’s investments in electricity generation.

Her concerns come amid the transition from Umeme to state-managed electricity distribution, which has raised questions about service quality, connection delays and the cost of power.

Namyalo Raises Political Concerns

Namyalo alleged that there could be a covert operation to frustrate Museveni’s leadership through persistent blackouts and other electricity-related challenges.

She suggested that prolonged service failures could be used to provoke public unrest and weaken confidence in the government.

However, the allegation requires independent evidence and has not been established as fact.

Namyalo urged authorities to investigate the electricity sector’s challenges and ensure that failures in service delivery do not continue to frustrate Ugandans.

Questions Over Electricity Money

The ONC manager also questioned reported UEDCL collections of UGX 1.71 trillion and 236,000 new electricity connections.

She demanded transparency over the reported figures, asking why some customers remain without electricity despite the reported expansion in connections.

Namyalo called for an independent audit to establish how the funds were used and determine the status of outstanding connections.

She also questioned the continued presence of former Umeme staff in the electricity distribution system following the transition to UEDCL.

For Namyalo, the central issue is whether the changes in electricity management are delivering better services to ordinary Ugandans.

Darkness Threatens Security and Education

Namyalo warned that communities without streetlights face heightened security concerns, particularly for women travelling home at night.

“When you keep a village in darkness, you keep it insecure. Light is security,” she said.

She also criticised situations where electricity infrastructure exists but households remain unconnected because meters have not been installed.

“Our children study under kerosene because poles are erected but meters are not installed,” she said.

Namyalo questioned how Uganda could compete economically when some learners struggle to study at night despite the country’s electricity generation capacity.

“Light must be on for education,” she emphasised.

Blackouts Translate Into Lost Income

Namyalo said power interruptions have immediate consequences for small businesses and workers across the country.

“When power is off, the saloon in Mbale closes. The welding machine in Nansana sleeps. The maize mill in Lira stops,” she said.

“A blackout is not an inconvenience, it is unemployment for that day.”

She argued that unreliable electricity weakens productivity, disrupts businesses and undermines efforts to improve household incomes.

Namyalo called for affordable power, faster connections and stronger accountability from UEDCL.

She maintained that electricity must serve as a foundation for security, education, job creation and industrial growth.

As government pursues socio-economic transformation, she insists that Ugandans deserve reliable electricity and clear answers about persistent failures in the distribution system.