The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that electricity tariffs have increased, with some consumers complaining that Shs10,000 now buys only four or five units.
The regulator says approved electricity tariffs for October to December 2026 remain unchanged, adding that the number of units a customer receives depends on the applicable tariff category and additional charges.
According to ERA’s fourth-quarter tariff schedule, eligible domestic consumers using between one and 15 units pay Shs250 per unit under the lifeline tariff.
Consumers using between 16 and 80 units are charged Shs779.4 per unit, while the cooking tariff for consumption between 81 and 150 units is Shs412 per unit.
Customers consuming 151 units and above pay Shs779.4 per unit, according to the published schedule.
The differences in rates mean consumers may receive varying quantities of electricity for the same payment, depending on their consumption category and eligibility for a particular tariff.
At the lifeline rate of Shs250 per unit, Shs10,000 would buy 40 units before taxes and other applicable charges. At Shs779.4 per unit, the same amount would purchase approximately 12.8 units before additional charges.
ERA says the lifeline tariff applies to domestic consumers whose rolling monthly average consumption over the preceding six months does not exceed 100 kilowatt-hours.
The published rates exclude Value Added Tax (VAT), charged at 18% per transaction, as well as a monthly service charge applied once a month.
These additional charges reduce the amount available to purchase electricity units, but do not, on their own, mean that the approved unit tariffs have increased.
ERA is mandated to determine and approve electricity tariffs in Uganda, while the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) applies the approved rates when supplying and billing customers.
Tariff reviews take into account factors affecting electricity supply costs and the wider economy, including exchange rates, inflation, fuel prices and the electricity generation mix.
The authority assesses relevant information and tariff proposals before determining the rates licensed electricity providers may charge. Approved tariff schedules are subsequently published for consumers and service providers.
ERA’s published schedule also provides for large industrial consumers in the manufacturing sector, with charges varying according to the time of day, connection voltage, maximum demand and applicable consumption block.
Under Code 30.1, covering manufacturers connected at 11,000 volts or 33,000 volts with maximum demand exceeding 500 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) but not exceeding 1,500 kVA, the average energy charge is Shs308.1 per unit under Block 1 and Shs290.6 under Block 2.
During peak hours, defined as 6pm to midnight, the charges rise to Shs378.2 per unit under Block 1 and Shs356.7 under Block 2.
During shoulder hours, between 6am and 6pm, manufacturers pay Shs308.1 per unit under Block 1 and Shs290.6 under Block 2.
The lowest rates apply during off-peak hours, between midnight and 6am, when the charges are Shs239.3 per unit under Block 1 and Shs225.8 under Block 2.
The Block 2 tariff applies to electricity consumed above a threshold determined by ERA for the respective consumers. UEDCL is required to communicate the applicable threshold to each affected customer.
