TOP STORY: UEDCL Soroti Office on Spot for Failing to Restore Power to Madera and Dakabela Institutions for Over Three Weeks
By Odeke Emma Akol
Soroti, August 1, 2025 — The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Soroti branch is under intense scrutiny and public pressure after failing to restore power to critical institutions in Madera and Dakabela for over three weeks following a major transformer failure.
The outage, which began on Thursday, July 10, 2025, has severely disrupted learning, health services, and daily life for thousands in the affected areas. Affected institutions include schools for the blind, health centres, and major residential communities.
Mounting Frustration from School and Health Leaders
During a recent media briefing, heads of institutions within the Madera Complex condemned UEDCL’s “total inaction” and poor communication in addressing the crisis. They cited repeated unsuccessful attempts to engage the Soroti office for updates or technical intervention.
Among the institutions impacted is St. Peter’s Seminary Madera, which issued a formal complaint to the UEDCL Soroti branch:
“St. Peter’s Seminary Madera is an institution with a student population of 300 and 40 staff. The hill hosts educational institutions with an estimated population of over 3,000 customers.”
“Other institutions include: St. Anne’s Primary School, St. Theresa Madera Boys Primary School, St. Francis Primary School for the Blind, St. Francis Secondary School for the Blind, Eneku Village, and Madera Health Center III.”
“The transformer failed on July 10, 2025. Some of your agents came to check it, but since then, there has been no effort on the part of UEDCL to fix the problem or provide an alternative power source. We are deeply concerned, especially considering the young people under our care whose learning and behaviour are being negatively impacted.”
“Additionally, patients receiving medical services at Eneku Health Center III are in great danger due to the lack of electricity.”
Dakabela Also Affected
The blackout is not limited to Madera. Communities and institutions in Dakabela Sub-county are also grappling with power loss, worsening the strain on schools, clinics, and families.
“It’s no longer just an inconvenience — it’s a crisis,” one local leader remarked. “The lives and futures of our children and the health of our people are being compromised.”
No Official Statement from UEDCL
Despite growing public concern, UEDCL Soroti has remained silent. Calls, letters, and follow-ups from community representatives have reportedly gone unanswered. No timeline for repairs or alternative solutions has been communicated.
This prolonged silence has sparked calls for intervention by the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), and other relevant government bodies.
Community Mobilization Underway
Local leaders have hinted at escalating the matter further if no immediate action is taken. Some communities are considering peaceful demonstrations or filing formal petitions to national offices.
“This is not just a technical fault — it’s a matter of rights and dignity. We demand to be treated with urgency,” said one headteacher.
Background
UEDCL assumed distribution responsibilities in various parts of Uganda after Umeme’s exit in early 2025. While the company pledged to improve rural electrification, it has faced challenges with infrastructure breakdowns and customer service delays — a situation now starkly visible in the Soroti region.
As the blackout in Madera and Dakabela stretches into its fourth week, thousands remain in darkness — waiting, and hoping, for power to return.
