Energy Ministry is set to take over testing of Yaka meters from UNBSBy Prisca WanyenyaThe Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is planning to recall the testing of Yaka meters from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and handle it internally, citing limited capacity at the Bureau that has caused delays in issuance and installation.State Minister for Energy Sidronius Okaasai revealed this while responding to concerns raised by Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale about inconsistent power consumption by different Yaka meters and delays in accessing them, during the October 1, 2026 plenary sitting.“When you compare the old version, it consumes very well. The new one, the consumption is excessive,” Muzaale said. “The Minister promised people subsidized meters, we promoted it in the villages and people did everything required. However, there has been a shortage for a very long time. We want to understand whether the challenge is with the supplier or there is another problem.”In response, Okaasai said the 1,170,000 new meters he had earlier promised Parliament are now being installed by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and encouraged Ugandans to apply through their respective district managers.He admitted, however, that installation is being hampered by the slow pace of testing at UNBS, which does not match public demand.“Those 1,170,000 meters have to be installed before the end of the financial year, but we are having a challenge on testing. The testing is done by UNBS, they cannot move at our pace. We want all these meters out. So we are taking an initiative to recall the testing and bring it to the Ministry because UNBS has limited capacity and doesn’t understand the urgency,” Okaasai said.In July 2026, Okaasai admitted a shortage of Yaka meters but said government plans to procure 1,125,000 meters between 2026 and 2027. He said 275,000 meters would be delivered between July and September 2026, 550,000 between October and December 2026, and another 300,000 between January and June 2027.The Ministry also acknowledged differences in consumption between old and new meters, saying plans are underway to replace all old meters with prepaid Yaka meters.“The new meters are now very sensitive. Currently, we are working to test all the meters so that they deliver at the same rate. We are going to remove the old meters to replace them with prepaid meters,” he said.The post Energy Ministry to Take Over Yaka Meter Testing from UNBS Over Delays appeared first on Business Focus.