Hello, This is Aaron from Nearly Free Energy. We provide reliable electricity to neighbourhoods like yours.
Your landlady has agreed to work with us to bring reliable power to your neighborhood. This will be done in a 3 phase process.
We will switch you from Yaka to Smart Meters. This is needed in order for us to monitor when UEDCL power goes off so that we can size your neighbourhood backup correctly.
We will install the right sized battery backup so that when UEDCL goes off, you power remains on. These batteries will be charged when UEDCL is on so that they can be ready when UEDCL is off. This backup will come on automatically so you should not notice when UEDCL is off.
We will install solar panels on your roof to help charge the batteries when UEDCL is off for much longer periods like several weeks.
You will be switched from prepaid to postpaid. This is the same way you pay for your water bill. You receive a monthly bill from us via SMS and you will have 5 days to pay the bill via Mobile Money, Visa or Mastercard.
You can do this via your CIU. Simply enter "19" then press OK to see you usage for the current month.
Your smart meter will automatically turn off power to your house. Once you pay the bill, the meter automatically turns power back on.
Phase 1 is currently in progress. We are targeting to complete phase 1 by end of this week.
We are targeting to start Phase 2 in December 2025, it should be completed within a month depending on the transport logistics of the batteries. They are being imported from suppliers overseas.
The timelines for Phase 3 are not yet determined but will likely be within 2026.
The cost of power will not change. IT is determined by ERA (Electricity Regulatory Authority). You will be paying the same domestic rate you are paying today: https://www.uedcl.co.ug/approved-tariffs. You will charged this fee per unit you use + VAT (18%) + monthly service charge (5320 UGX). All these charges exist on your Yaka bills. The only change here is that it's postpaid not prepaid.
At this time, our system doesn't support this payment mode. But we think postpaid is better for most customers so we think you will find it more convenient than yaka tokens.
UEDCL will eventually repossess that yaka meter. The timelines for this are unclear. However please contact us and share your current Yaka balance, we will credit the units to your monthly bill for next month.
You can contact NFE via whatsapp or email. We will help resolve the issue.
You can email us on team@nearlyFreeEnergy.com or Whatsapp us on 0762-860-576