The ministry for energy and mineral development has declined to give a definite date as to when the ongoing power crisis will be settled.

According to energy minister Irene Muloni, the darkness in the country is as a result of failure by UETCL to pay a staggering over 200 billion shillings owed to the independent power generating companies.

Irene Muloni, Uganda's Minister of Energy and Mineral Development

Addressing a press conference at Uganda Media Center, Muloni who was flanked by information minister Mary Karooro Okurut said that UETCL which buys power in bulk form from the independent companies owes them 299.5 billion shillings.

As a result, Muloni explained that the companies decided to close down their business until government clears their arrears.

Power producer Aggreko switched off 50megawatts based at Kiira, in Jinja, Electro-maxx Ltd switched off 22 megawatts based in Tororo District, while Jacobsen Ltd shut down its 50-mw plant in Namanve on Wednesday, drastically cutting electricity supply to the national grid.

This has resulted in day and night long load shedding in different areas from 6am-spm and 6pm to 6am and power distributor Umeme tries to ration the available electricity.

Muloni says the ministry of finance has been able to pay 92 billion shillings but over 200 billion in arrears is still outstanding. She says they are working with the Ministry of Finance to see that the balance is paid so that these companies can resume work (generate electricity) in full gear.

Muloni appealed to the public to remain calm, but gave no definite date or month as to when the outstanding debts will be paid so that load shedding ends.

Meanwhile, Karooro asked city traders to abandon their sit-down strike arising from the ongoing inflation and falling shilling, saying government is fully considering their concerns.

Minister of Energy Muloni unsure when energy crisis in Uganda will end

The ministry for energy and mineral development has declined to give a definite date as to when the ongoing power crisis will be settled.

According to energy minister Irene Muloni, the darkness in the country is as a result of failure by UETCL to pay a staggering over 200 billion shillings owed to the independent power generating companies.

Addressing a press conference at Uganda Media Center, Muloni who was flanked by information minister Mary Karooro Okurut said that UETCL which buys power in bulk form from the independent companies owes them 299.5 billion shillings.

As a result, Muloni explained that the companies decided to close down their business until government clears their arrears.

Power producer Aggreko switched off 50megawatts based at Kiira, in Jinja, Electro-maxx Ltd switched off 22 megawatts based in Tororo District, while Jacobsen Ltd shut down its 50-mw plant in Namanve on Wednesday, drastically cutting electricity supply to the national grid.

This has resulted in day and night long load shedding in different areas from 6am-spm and 6pm to 6am and power distributor Umeme tries to ration the available electricity.

Muloni says the ministry of finance has been able to pay 92 billion shillings but over 200 billion in arrears is still outstanding. She says they are working with the Ministry of Finance to see that the balance is paid so that these companies can resume work (generate electricity) in full gear.

Muloni appealed to the public to remain calm, but gave no definite date or month as to when the outstanding debts will be paid so that load shedding ends.

Meanwhile, Karooro asked city traders to abandon their sit-down strike arising from the ongoing inflation and falling shilling, saying government is fully considering their concerns.