No Tariff Increase: ERA dismisses Rumours, Confirms Stable Tariffs for Q4 2026

KAMPALA, UGANDA — The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) strongly refutes false and misleading claims circulating on social media alleging that electricity tariffs have skyrocketed to the point where UGX 10,000/= would purchase only four or five units.

These rumors are completely false. ERA confirms that the approved end-user electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026 (covering October to December) remain unchanged from the previous quarter.

Stability of Q4 2026 Tariffs:

The approved tariff schedule for Q4 2026 maintains the established rates for all domestic and commercial categories:

• Lifeline Tariff (First 15 Units): Maintained at UGX 250 per kWh (applicable to domestic consumers whose six-month average monthly consumption does not exceed 100 kWh).

• Consumption between 16 and 80 Units: UGX 779.4 per kWh.

• Cooking Tariff (Units 81 to 150): Maintained at a discounted rate of UGX 412 per kWh to actively encourage households to transition from biomass/charcoal to clean electric cooking.

• Consumption above 150 Units: UGX 779.4 per kWh.

ERA’s Mandate and the Tariff-Setting Process:

ERA is the statutory body mandated under Section 9 of the Electricity Act, Cap. 157, to determine, review, and approve electricity tariffs in Uganda.

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is a licensed distribution company responsible for supplying and billing power based strictly on the schedules approved by ERA. UEDCL does not independently set, alter, or increase electricity prices.

Tariff adjustments are transparent and follow a strict regulatory review of key macroeconomic and sector drivers, including:

• Foreign exchange rates (Uganda Shilling against the US Dollar)

• Consumer Price Index (inflation)

• International fuel and oil prices

• The national power generation mix

Call for Calm and Clean Cooking Adoption:

ERA urges electricity consumers and the general public to disregard unverified panic-inducing rumors on social media. Consumers are encouraged to embrace clean electric cooking under the subsidized cooking tariff (UGX 412 per kWh for units 81–150) as part of national efforts to promote safe and sustainable energy.

The official Q4 2026 tariff schedule is publicly accessible via the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) Website and UEDCL Approved Tariffs.