The two-day campaign collected 83 units of blood in Kampala, Gulu, Mbale and Mbarara as the Authority continues to support community health and welfare. The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), in partnership with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), has sponsored a nationwide blood donation campaign aimed at helping to address the shortage of blood in health facilities across Uganda. The two-day campaign, held from 19 to 20 October 2026, took place in Kampala, Gulu, Mbale and Mbarara. It attracted ERA staff, stakeholders in the electricity supply industry and members of the public, who turned up to donate blood in support of patients in need of transfusion. The drive collected 83 units of blood, contributing to efforts to improve the availability of blood for medical care, particularly in emergencies and accident-related cases. Blood transfusions are needed in different health situations, including accidents, childbirth complications, surgeries and the treatment of certain medical conditions. The campaign comes at a time when health facilities continue to need reliable blood supplies to support patients whose treatment depends on timely transfusions. By working with UBTS, ERA sought to encourage public participation in blood donation and support efforts to make blood available to those who need it.
According to Ms. Diana Naisuna Nambi, Manager Public Relations and Consumer Affairs at ERA, the blood donation campaign was part of the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. Ms. Nambi explained that ERA’s partnership with UBTS was guided by its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, which focuses on interventions in health, education and the environment. She said the Authority recognises that its responsibility goes beyond regulating Uganda’s electricity supply industry and includes supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of communities.
“The partnership with UBTS for the blood donation drive was undertaken in line with the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy that focuses on interventions in Health, Education, and the Environment,” Ms. Nambi said.
She added that ERA was pleased to contribute to an initiative intended to help save lives and support people receiving medical care.
“ERA is pleased to have contributed to this life-saving initiative that will impact hundreds of Ugandans with a new lease of life,” she noted. Ms. Nambi also thanked the blood donors for giving their time and taking part in the campaign. She recognised the contribution of ERA staff, electricity supply industry stakeholders and members of the public who supported the exercise.
Their participation helped the Authority and UBTS collect blood for use in health facilities, where the availability of safe blood can make a difference in the treatment and recovery of patients.
Blood donation campaigns depend on the willingness of people to come forward and donate. The participation of staff, industry stakeholders and members of the public in the ERA-supported drive showed the role that institutions and individuals can play in supporting health services. The campaign also provided an opportunity to bring together people from different parts of the country around a shared concern: helping patients who require blood transfusions.
Through its partnership with UBTS, ERA contributed to efforts to address the demand for blood and encourage a culture of voluntary donation. Continued public participation in such campaigns can help support the availability of blood for patients who need urgent medical attention.
Although the campaign collected 83 units, the need for blood in health facilities remains an ongoing concern. Partnerships between public institutions, organisations and the general public can therefore help support blood collection efforts and improve access to this essential resource.
The blood donation campaign is part of ERA’s wider commitment to supporting communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Over time, the Authority has sponsored projects aimed at improving livelihoods, protecting the environment and promoting opportunities for young people. One of its areas of work has been the protection of spring wells in different parts of Uganda. These initiatives support efforts to protect water sources that communities depend on for their daily needs. ERA has also supported tree-planting activities aimed at restoring catchment areas around rivers that host hydropower plants and projects. These activities have been carried out in the Central, Western, West Nile and Northern regions of Uganda. Protecting water sources and river catchment areas is relevant to the electricity supply industry because hydropower generation depends on water resources. Tree planting and catchment restoration can support the protection of these areas while contributing to wider environmental conservation efforts. Through these activities, ERA continues to support interventions that address community needs while recognising the relationship between environmental protection and the electricity sector.
Another key initiative under ERA’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme is the annual Women in Energy project. The project brings together women working in the energy sector to inspire young girls to consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Through physical interactions and inspirational talks, women professionals share their experiences and encourage students to explore educational and career opportunities in fields where women remain underrepresented. Since the project began in 2019, more than 50,000 young women from 58 schools in different parts of Uganda have benefited from these engagements. The project provides a platform for students to interact with women working in the energy sector, learn about their career journeys and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available in STEM-related fields.
By exposing young women to professionals who have built careers in the sector, ERA aims to encourage them to pursue their interests in science and technology and consider future roles in the energy industry. The initiative also reflects the Authority’s commitment to education and the development of young people through practical engagement and career inspiration.
ERA’s work in blood donation, water source protection, tree planting and the Women in Energy project reflects its wider approach to community engagement. While the Authority’s main responsibility is to regulate Uganda’s electricity supply industry, its Corporate Social Responsibility programme supports activities in health, education and environmental protection. The blood donation campaign demonstrates how partnerships with other institutions can help respond to community needs. Working with UBTS enabled ERA to support a public health initiative that brought together its staff, industry stakeholders and members of the public in four districts.
The 83 units of blood collected during the two-day exercise will contribute to blood supplies for patients requiring transfusions. The campaign also served as a reminder of the role that voluntary donation and institutional support can play in strengthening health services. As ERA continues to implement its Corporate Social Responsibility activities, its work across health, education and the environment remains focused on supporting communities and improving people’s welfare. The nationwide blood donation drive is one example of how the Authority is using partnerships to contribute to public well-being while carrying out its mandate in Uganda’s electricity sector.
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