Over 90,000 Umeme users risk extra costs after missing yaka meter upgrade deadline

Uganda’s power distributor, UMEME, has announced that more than 90,000 electricity users could face additional costs after failing to comply with the mandatory Yaka meter upgrade deadline, which passed on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

UMEME spokesperson Peter Kaujju revealed that 95% of the 2.15 million Yaka users successfully completed the upgrade, leaving about 4.19%—equivalent to over 90,000 users—unable to generate or input tokens for electricity.

“For those who didn’t complete the process, their meters will no longer communicate, meaning they must purchase new meters at an additional cost,” Kaujju explained.

The upgrade was part of a transition to the Standard Transfer Specification (STS), a system designed to improve tracking of power usage and enable seamless electricity payments across different providers.

While the majority complied, some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the process. Moses Kasongo, a Kampala resident, said, “I never received any message from UMEME about the upgrade and now I might have to pay for a new meter.”

Another user, speaking anonymously, added, “I got the message late and felt pressured to comply.”

In response to customer concerns, Kaujju assured users that UMEME is ready to assist those who missed the deadline, ensuring a smoother transition to the upgraded system.

How to Check or Upgrade Your Yaka Meter:

• Inhemeter, Star, Waison, XJ Users: Press 873 and enter. If it shows 01, the meter isn’t upgraded; 02 means it’s upgraded.
• Conlog Meters (Army Green): Press #005#. Codes r1:t2 indicate not upgraded, while r2:t2 or r2:t10 confirm the upgrade.
• Hexing, Itron, and Chint Users: Press 873 and enter. 01 means not upgraded, and 02 means upgraded.
• Sanxing and Sunrise Users: Press 005 and enter. 01 indicates not upgraded, and 02 means upgraded.

UMEME emphasized the importance of the upgrade to ensure uninterrupted electricity services and to align with global metering standards.