The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has sparked a fierce national debate by revealing that Uganda exported electricity worth $60.47 million (approx. shs 220 billion) in 2025, even as a staggering 88.6% of its own rural households remain disconnected from the national grid. citing world bank and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) data, the opposition party is questioning why millions of taxpayers are being bypassed by the very high-voltage power lines running through their backyards to light up neighboring nations.
In 2025, uganda exported 618.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity across east africa. the revenue breakdown shows where the power went:Kenya: $25.10 million,Rwanda: $17.82 million,Tanzania: $17.21 million and Democratic republic of congo (drc): $342,680
Despite a june 2023 power sales agreement prioritizing a massive 308km transmission line from olwiyo to juba (south sudan), local households across west nile continue to suffer from chronic lack of connection.
The party accused the ruling national resistance movement (nrm) of failing its 2016–2021 and 2021–2026 manifestos, specifically pointing out unmet promises to build thousands of kilometers of local distribution networks and connect unserved sub-county headquarters.
FDC demanded that the government account for the shs 45 billion that was meant to be mobilized to extend electricity grid connections to buvuma and sigulu islands.
“Electricity is not a luxury. it is an essential service that directly affects people’s ability to earn a living, access health care, educate their children, and operate businesses. we are demanding that the government gives its own people the opportunity to access and pay for this essential service.” — fdc media statement
In a media statement, FDC Vice Chairperson Centenary Robert Franco insisted that while regional power trade is valuable, domestic consumers must come first, demanding immediate action on connection costs and transparency
He questioned the government’s emphasis on regional electricity trade, arguing that domestic consumers should benefit before the country celebrates supplying power to its neighbors. “what about the ugandans who live in the very communities through which these electricity transmission projects pass?” the party asks.
According to the world bank’s world integrated trade solution data cited by the fdc, uganda exported 618.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2025. kenya accounted for exports worth $25.10 million, followed by rwanda at $17.82 million and tanzania at $17.21 million. exports to the democratic republic of congo were valued at $342,680.
The fdc acknowledges the importance of regional electricity trade but questions why communities in uganda continue to lack electricity connections while infrastructure is being developed to supply neighboring countries. it cited west nile as an example, arguing that many households in the region remain without electricity despite its proximity to south sudan, with which uganda signed a power sales agreement in june 2023.
The agreement prioritized a 308-kilometer, 400-kilovolt transmission line between olwiyo in uganda and juba in south sudan. of the planned line, 138 kilometers were to be on the ugandan side and 170 kilometers in south sudan. the party also questioned the implementation of electricity access commitments contained in the national resistance movement’s 2016-2021 and 2021-2026 manifestos.
Among the promises it cited were the construction of thousands of kilometers of electricity distribution networks, the connection of previously unserved sub-county headquarters and the expansion of household connections. the fdc also wants the government to account for progress on a commitment to mobilize approximately 45 billion shillings to extend electricity to buvuma and sigulu islands.
The party argues that the government should publish details of the public funds spent on electricity infrastructure and explain why communities promised connections continue to wait. “electricity is not a luxury. it is an essential service that directly affects people’s ability to earn a living, access health care, educate their children and operate businesses,” the statement reads.
FDC is demanding a nationwide electricity connection program targeting underserved villages, parishes, sub-counties and trading centers, as well as an accelerated electrification program for west nile, buvuma, obongi, karamoja and other underserved areas. it is also calling for affordable connection charges, lower electricity costs for households and small businesses, and greater transparency regarding the volumes of electricity exported and the revenue generated.
The party maintains that electricity exports should be allowed where uganda has genuine surplus generation capacity, while domestic consumers receive priority. “we are not asking the government to provide electricity for free. we are demanding that the government gives its own people the opportunity to access and pay for this essential service,” the statement adds.
FDC says its 2026 manifesto proposes expanding electricity generation capacity to 4,000 megawatts, promoting renewable energy, reducing electricity charges for households and small and medium enterprises, and ensuring minimum electricity access in every village.
