Kampala, (UG):- Uganda’s power distributor, UMEME has revealed that more than 90,000 electricity users face the prospect of incurring additional costs after failing to comply with the deadline for the mandatory Yaka metre upgrade which passed Sunday, November 24, 2024.
The UMEME Spokesperson, Mr Peter Kaujju Monday said at least that about 95 per cent (about 2,060,000) of the 2.15 million Yaka users had completed the software upgrade by close of business, on Sunday leaving 4.19% in limbo for failing to comply with the deadline.
“We successfully upgraded more than 95 per cent of the 2.15 million meters on our network but for those who did not complete the process, their meters will no longer communicate, meaning they cannot generate or key in tokens for functionality,” Mr Kaujju said in an interview with a local daily.
The UMEME Spox explained that the remaining 4.19 per cent now face the prospect of paying for new meters, as their current ones will become unusable without the upgrade. “So if you didn’t roll over by the set deadline, it will mean you have to acquire another meter, which will come at an additional cost,” he said.
Kaujju explained that the transition into a new system comes with improved functionalities such as better tracking of power usage.
However, some customers have expressed frustration over the upgrade process, while others cited issues such as a lack of awareness about the deadline. “I never received any message from Umeme [about upgrade] and now I might have to pay for a new meter,” Mr Moses Kasongo, a Kampala City resident, said.
Another power consumer who spoke on condition of anonymity said; “I got the message late, and it felt like I was being forced to make the upgrade under pressure.”
To answer their woes, Mr Kaujju pledged that the company is ready to assist those who missed the deadline and ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
The power distributor had extended the deadline until the close of yesterday for upgrading the prepayment meter technology, a process described as crucial for maintaining the prolonged meters’ functionality.
Like other countries in the region, Uganda is upgrading its prepaid electric metering system to the latest technology known as the Standard Transfer Specification (STS). This metering standard allows consumers to seamlessly switch their electricity payments between different utility providers.
How to check and or upgrade your UMEME YAKA metre
The power distributor says customers using the Inhemeter, Star, Waison, XJ prepayment meters, can press 873 and press enter to check if their meters are upgraded. If it shows 01, it means not upgraded, and 02 means upgraded.
Meanwhile, those using the traditional Conlog meters (army green in colour) can press #005#, with r1:t2 meaning not upgraded, and r2:t2 or r2:t10 meaning upgraded.
Customers using Hexing, Itron, and Chint prepayment users to press 873 and press enter, with 01 meaning not upgraded, and 02 meaning upgraded; and for Sanxing and Sunrise prepayment users are urged to press 005 and press enter, with 01 meaning not upgraded, and 02 for upgraded.
Reallin prepayment users should press 011 and press enter, where 01 will mean not upgraded, and 02 will mean upgraded.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa however said customers with new prepayment meters should not worry because all metres installed beginning May 2024 are already compliant with the new prepayment system. “I encourage everyone if in doubt, to check your metre and confirm if it is upgraded. Umeme and UEDCL have already issued guidelines on how to check the status of your meter,” she said.
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