National grid failure triggers widespread blackout across Uganda

Uganda was plunged into total darkness on Friday night following a massive system failure on the national grid, rekindling public frustration over chronic power instability just as the country transitions into a new era of state-managed electricity.

The nationwide blackout occurred at exactly 9:07pm on Friday, June 5, 2026, according to an emergency notice issued by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). In an initial statement, UETCL confirmed that its technical teams had been deployed to investigate the root cause and restore the grid, offering regrets for the…