2nd Annual Energy Convention 2026
“Ground Up: Powering Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Through Integrated Energy Transformation”
Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development
Uganda Chamber of Energy & Minerals
Not a talking shop.
A commitment platform.
Uganda is entering the implementation phase of its Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) with a bold ambition: grow the national economy tenfold — from USD 50 billion in 2023 to USD 500 billion by 2040. No pillar is more urgent than energy.
Today, roughly 90% of final energy consumption still comes from biomass, electricity access remains incomplete, and distribution losses stand at 17.1%. The 2nd Annual Energy Convention 2026 is convened precisely at this moment — to evaluate UEDCL’s first year, align private innovation with the Energy Transition Plan, and translate the Revised Energy Policy 2023 into measurable action.
Powering an industrialising economy Scaling toward a USD 500 billion economy
To deliver NDP IV’s industrialisation pillars, the energy sector must scale generation capacity toward a long-term target of 52,000 MW by 2040 — from the current 2,098 MW.
Near-Term Milestones — 2026
- Double-digit annual GDP growth through NDP IV
- 2,098 MW current generation + 65 MW new renewable capacity by end-2026
- National electricity access: 80% by 2028 → 100% by 2030
- Peak demand reduction of 341 MW through energy efficiency
- 300,000 new electricity connections per year under the World Bank EASP
Long-Term Energy Vision — 2040
- 52,000 MW national generation capacity
- Full decarbonisation of Uganda’s energy mix
- Elimination of biomass as a primary energy source
- Uganda as a net electricity exporter within the EAC region
- Energy as the backbone of a USD 500 billion economy
UEDCL: Year One Under Review
June 2026 marks the 14th month since UEDCL assumed full control of the national distribution network, following the end of Umeme’s 20-year concession on 31 March 2025. The Convention is the primary platform to assess Year One and chart UEDCL’s second year.
Infrastructure Rehabilitation
- 100-day emergency grid overhaul launched in 2025
- 47,000+ rotten poles replaced across the network
- 518 new transformers injected to address 3,500 overloaded zones
- System availability maintained at 98.1% despite the transition
Financial & Investment Realities
- 5-year capital requirement identified: USD 950 million
- Initial approved capital investment: USD 74 million
- Significant funding gap requiring innovative financial structuring
- Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) engaged for additional funding
Connectivity Backlog
- 127,000 pending connection requests in the queue
- EASP (USD 638 million, World Bank) targeting 300,000 connections/year
Tariff & Industrial Impact
- Industrial sector consumes 70% of national electricity demand
- Tariff stability critical to manufacturing competitiveness
- 2,712 state-created employment openings in the new UEDCL structure
Renewable energy priorities carried forward
REC 2025 proved that access alone is insufficient — it must be coupled with the Productive Use of Solar Energy (PUSE). The 2nd Energy Convention takes that baton further.
| Priority Area | Current Status | 2026 Action |
|---|---|---|
| Agro-Industrialisation | Solar irrigation scaling underway; cold-chain pilots in dairy & fisheries showing +72% farmer income gains | Expand PUSE pilots to five industrial parks; launch agro-processing energy incentives |
| Clean Cooking Transition | 88% biomass reliance; EPCs and LPG subsidy programmes active via UECCC | Scale electric pressure cooker (EPC) rollout; expand LPG subsidy coverage nationally |
| Green TVET & Skills | One million youth entering the labour market annually; certified solar technicians in short supply | Launch UCEM-university pipeline; certify 5,000 solar and grid technicians |
| Productive Use of Solar | PUSE pilots proven in irrigation, milling, and cold-storage — income gains documented | Scale PUSE model to fifty additional rural clusters; integrate cooperative financing |
| Innovative Financing | Results-Based Financing (RBF), carbon credits, and green bonds identified at REC 2025 | Operationalise green bond framework; link carbon credits to mini-grid & off-grid projects |
Seven strategic outcomes
Evaluate UEDCL Year One
A rigorous, data-driven assessment of UEDCL’s first year — infrastructure, financial performance, tariff outcomes, and connection progress.
Close the Capital Gap
Mobilise private sector, DFI, and government commitments toward the USD 950 million five-year grid investment requirement.
Accelerate Renewables
Operationalise the rollout pipeline for the additional 65 MW of renewable capacity targeted for 2026 — solar, mini-grids, off-grid.
Drive Productive Use
Move from PUSE pilots to scaled, commercially viable productive energy models in agriculture, processing, and manufacturing.
Champion Clean Cooking
Agree a national roadmap to reduce biomass reliance from 88% to below 70% by 2028 via LPG and electric cooking.
Formalise the 2026 Declaration
Adopt the June 2026 Declaration on Universal Access and Industrial Power Reliability as a binding commitment.
Build the Workforce Pipeline
Launch concrete university-industry partnerships to certify 5,000 green energy technicians and engineers in 2026 — closing the skills gap for a rapidly growing sector.
A single, high-intensity day
Plenary sessions, technical panels, a finance forum, and stakeholder resolutions — all held in plenary for maximum cross-sector dialogue and collective commitment.
Registration, Networking & Exhibition Preview
Delegate check-in; pre-convention exhibition walk; morning refreshments.
Session 1 — Ministerial PlenaryKeynote
Powering Tenfold Growth: official opening; NDP IV energy alignment; UEDCL Year-1 performance review; 2026 tariff outcomes & industrial competitiveness.
Coffee Break & B2B Networking
Refreshments; exhibitor demos; scheduled bilateral meetings.
Session 2 — Utility 2.0
Grid resilience, losses & the USD 950M investment gap; distribution loss reduction (from 17.1%); EASP progress; UEDCL Year-2 roadmap.
Networking Lunch & Exhibition
Seated lunch; exhibition viewing; investor-project matching facilitated by UCEM.
Session 3 — Productive Use & E-Mobility
Energy that earns: scaling PUSE in industrial parks; agro-processing incentives; electric motorcycle fleets; solar-powered irrigation.
Short Break
Session 4 — Clean Energy Finance Forum
Blended finance instruments; green bond framework launch; carbon credit monetisation; domestic bank capacity in project assessment.
Session 5 — Stakeholder ResolutionsDeclaration
Convention outcomes; formal adoption of the June 2026 Declaration on Universal Access & Industrial Power Reliability; commitments matrix.
Networking Cocktail & Sector Awards
Hosted reception; UCEM Energy Excellence Awards 2026; sponsor recognition; closing remarks.
Cross-sector dialogue & live projects Session 1 — Ministerial Plenary
The Honourable Minister of Energy delivers the keynote, followed by a high-level panel with UEDCL leadership, ERA, and the private sector. A live scorecard on UEDCL Year-1 KPIs is presented and interrogated.
Session 2 — Utility 2.0
The most technically rigorous session: utility engineers, grid financiers, and regulators dissect the 17.1% loss challenge and the USD 950M capital gap. EASP review presented by the World Bank team.
Session 4 — Clean Energy Finance Forum
Uganda’s most critical energy finance conversation — DFIs, commercial banks, green bond issuers, and carbon market specialists. Aims to launch Uganda’s first dedicated green bond framework for energy.
The decision-makers shaping Uganda’s energy future
Public Sector
- Minister & Ministry of Energy officials
- UEDCL & UETCL leadership
- Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)
- Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
- UECCC & financing agencies
- Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources
Private Sector & Finance
- Energy developers & IPPs
- Commercial banks & DFIs
- Off-grid & mini-grid providers
- Clean cooking technology companies
- Electric mobility entrepreneurs
- Equipment suppliers & EPC contractors
Knowledge & Innovation
- Universities & research institutes
- TVET institutions & skills bodies
- Energy innovation startups
- International think tanks & partners
- Young energy professionals
Civil Society & Media
- Consumer advocacy groups
- Gender & energy equity organisations
- Environmental & climate advocates
- Print, digital & broadcast media
- Embassies & bilateral partners
Measured against concrete 2026 targets
Maintains investor confidence; ensures industrial reliability.
Expands access for households and public institutions via EASP.
Driven by the USD 638M World Bank EASP framework.
Adds solar and mini-grid capacity to the national mix.
Improves system efficiency and reduces consumer costs.
Protects the sector consuming 70% of national demand.
Delivers on the NDP IV employment dividend.
Closes the skills gap for a fast-growing sector.
Links energy access to productive economic activity.
Be seen as a leader in Uganda’s energy transformation
With an anticipated audience of 500+ senior decision-makers, the Convention is the most efficient platform in the East African energy calendar.
Exclusive conference naming rights; keynote speech slot; all stage & media branding; full-page advert in the convention guide; MD/CEO interview; awards ceremony title sponsor.
All media branding; plenary session naming; speaker slot; MD/CEO interview; full-page advert; one-year Gold UCEM subscription.
Selected media branding; speaker slot; session branding; company advert; half-page advert; UCEM subscription.
Branding on selected digital & print materials; speaker slot; full-page convention guide advert; UCEM subscription.
3×2m exhibition booth; company profile in the convention guide; branding in the exhibition area.
Secure your place at the table
Join government, industry, financiers, and innovators for a single day of binding pledges, signed declarations, and launch announcements.
- Direct access to 500+ senior decision-makers
- UCEM-facilitated investor & project matching
- Witness the June 2026 Declaration adoption
- UCEM Energy Excellence Awards networking cocktail