Energy Ministry Strips UNBS of Yaka Meter Testing Over Endless Delays

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is planning to recall Yaka meter testing from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and manage the process internally. The ministry cited limited capacity at the bureau, which has caused massive backlogs and delays in meter distribution and installation across the country. The development was revealed by State Minister for Energy Sidronius Okaasai during a parliamentary plenary sitting. He was responding to concerns raised by Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale, who questioned the inconsistent and seemingly excessive power consumption of newer meters alongside prolonged distribution delays. “When you compare the old version, it consumes very well. The new one, the consumption is excessive,” Muzaale stated. “The Minister promised people subsidized meters, we promoted it in the villages and people did everything required. However, there has been a shortage for a very long time.” The Rollout Bottleneck. Minister Okaasai assured Parliament that 1,170,000 new meters are currently being rolled out and installed by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). He urged citizens to apply directly through their respective district managers. However, he admitted that UNBS is failing to match public demand to io install all 1.17 million meters before the end of the current financial year. UNBS cannot keep pace with the ministry's schedule. The Ministry is taking over the initiative because UNBS "doesn't understand the urgency," according to Okaasai. Procurement Timeline & Phasing Out Old Meters The government previously laid out a targeted procurement plan to eliminate the meter deficit: Addressing the complaints over rapid power depletion on newer models, the Ministry acknowledged that the latest digital prepaid meters are highly sensitive. Plans are underway to test all existing meters to ensure a uniform calibration rate while aggressively phasing out and replacing all legacy meters with these updated prepaid units.