The number of people applying for electricity has dropped massively from 1,000 daily to an average of 127 after drastic increase in connection fees. Data from Uganda’s largest power distributor, Umeme, indicates that the company received only 3,945 applications between December and January 2021 from a monthly average of 30,000.

In December, government suspended the free electricity connection policy, citing lack of funds. Now applicants have to pay for unsubsidised connections.

Read more: Daily Monitor