In particular, the Hexing CIU EV500 is a new UMEME Yaka meter offered for new connection customers across Uganda. By design, the meter ships a closed type design with no visible input ports to protect it from external attacks and hacks.

By function, the Hexing Meter is similar to regular Yaka Conlog meters with code entries accepted through an input keypad, and units displayed on the meter’s main screen.

On the screen, you can view your current energy measurement, available units, number of days left on the connection, last recharge amount, last token recharge date, among other functions accessible through valid Hexing Yaka Meter codes as listed below.

Important Hexing Yaka Meter Codes to note

All Hexing Meter codes follow a mandatory Q+ code format. And so, to use a function, for instance, to know your last entered token, then the correct code format is Q817 to perform the specified function.

Just like regular Conlog Yaka meter codes that allow you to view your current uptime duration, remaining units, and current billing status. The new Hexing Meter gives you power to execute various tasks like viewing Power off times and previously loaded tokens.

Henceforth, with the new Hexing meters issued by UMEME, you can execute more commands to view your current connection status to plan better and know your daily current usage for easy billing.

As a popular norm, getting more Yaka Tokens on every purchase is an ideal goal for every electricity consumer. This is due to the fact that different Tokens are issued each time you opt to purchase Units for your account number.

Well, the fix to garnering more tokens for extended electricity supply is embedded in the fact that you must know how UMEME calculates each purchase to serve you with a specific amount of Units.

On every monthly payment, UMEME deducts a service fee, then URA’s Value Added Tax (VAT) follows suit. This means the actual Units amount is deducted before the paid amount is converted based on your payment date.

How UMEME Yaka Tokens are Calculated

• Service Fee
• VAT (18%)
• Cost per Yaka Unit ( UGX 750.9)

Based on the above prerequisites, Yaka tokens are issued by deducting the UMEME service fee, VAT, and the remaining balance gets you tokens at a rate of UGX 750.9 on your 2nd purchase in a month, and UGX 250 for 15Kwh if it’s your first purchase in a month.

Assuming you wish to spend UGX 20,000 to buy Yaka Tokens

At the Start of the Month (Your first Payment)

• Less Umeme Service Fee = UGX 3,360
• Less VAT = UGX 3,051 (Total VAT + Service Fee = UGX 6,411)
• Balance before Units Purchase = UGX 13,589
• Cost of first 15Kwh at a rate of UGX 250.0 = UGX 3,750
• Balance – Cost of first 15Kwh = UGX 9,839
• Yaka Units worth UGX 9,839 at a rate of UGX 750.9 = 13.1 Units
• First 15Kwh + 13.1 Units (worth UGX 9,839) = 28.1 Units
• TOTAL Received Units = 28.1 Units

In-Between the Month (If you already purchased earlier)

• Less Umeme Service Fee = N/A
• Less VAT = UGX 3,051
• Balance before Units Purchase = UGX 16,949
• Yaka Units worth UGX 16,949 at a rate of UGX 750.9 = 22.5 Units
• TOTAL Received Units = 22.5Units

Assuming you miss 1 Month without Buying Units

• Less Umeme Service Fee = UGX 6,720
• Less VAT = UGX 3,051 (Total VAT + Service Fee = UGX 9,771)
• Balance before Units Purchase = UGX 10,229
• Cost of the current month first 15Kwh at a rate of UGX 250.0 = UGX 3,750
• Balance – Cost of first 15Kwh = UGX 6,479
• Yaka Units worth UGX 6,479 at a rate of UGX 750.9 = 8.6 Units
• First 15Kwh + 8.6 Units (worth UGX 6,379) = 23.6 Units
• TOTAL Received Units = 23.6 Units

Hence, when you miss a month without buying Yaka Tokens, Umeme automatically brings forward your monthly service fee of UGX 3,360. So, if you miss 2 or more months, then you simply multiply your debt by calculating by the number of skipped months.

How to Get More Yaka Units on Every Purchase

To get more Yaka Units each time you intend to buy a Token, you must keep in mind VAT (Value Added Tax) of 15.2% or 18% brought forward on every Yaka purchase.

Then, consider the amount of electricity you consume every month (assuming UGX 20,000). Once noted, pay the full monthly amount at once instead of multiple times to avoid payment charges which rise up on every purchase you make.

For instance, for a UGX 20,000 Yaka Payment, here is what MTN Momo, Airtel Money, Africell Money, and Msente charge:

• MTN Momo – UGX 1,600
• Airtel Money – UGX 1,600
• Africell Money – UGX 1,200
• UTL Msente – UGX 1,000

So, based on your periodic Yaka Units Purchase, Mobile Money transaction charges will stand in your way each time you buy a token. Either way, payment solutions like Payway Wallet, Ezeemoney as well have individual charges when making Utility payments.

Hence, instead of spending extra money on clearing payment charges, you would rather top up your payment amount to garner more Units in a single purchase. Just like that, you’ll get a single Token, but with more Yaka Units on every monthly payment you make.

How to predict how many Yaka Units before buying

Apparently, UMEME provides a self-service billing calculator via umeme.co.ug and through the UMEME App. With the calculator, you simply insert the amount you intend to spend and when you last paid.

Fortunately, both the UMEME App and Website allow you to further see recently issued tokens on top of predicting the number of Units you can get on your next purchase.

Henceforth, UMEME Yaka being a prepaid service, getting the most out of every purchase requires you to level monthly usage, and further consider your default payment channel to avoid any possible overcharges that can be translated into more Yaka Units.

Well, the adoption of new technology standards has attracted shrinks in the way UMEME generates tokens, and how fast they are delivered to the purchasing account number.

With Mobile Money accounting for almost 80% of all Yaka purchases, delays can be expected, but solving them and expediting the process to have your power back, is a perfect measure to undertake.

Getting your lost and Missing Yaka tokens

How to get Mobile Money delayed Yaka Tokens

To swiftly get delayed Yaka Tokens purchased on Mobile Money, calling the UMEME helplines may expedite the process. Because of common system downtimes, using the App and continuously refreshing the Tokens page will reveal your Yaka token before it’s even sent to your Phone.

Either way, if you don’t have access to the UMEME App, you can alternatively dial *165# (Mobile Money Menu), select Utilities, and Under Yaka, choose the ‘Get last Token‘ option.

Info, you can signup for an account on the UMEME Website to see a list of your account records and contact support in real time in case of Token delays.

Alternatively:

• Contact UMEME’s Official Customer Care Lines on: 0800285285,0800385385 (Toll-Free) or 0312360600 (Paid)
• For Instant replies, use the customer Chat tab in the UMEME App or WhatsApp +256772285285

Best ways to buy Yaka Tokens and receive them Instantly

It’s known that Mobile Money is the most delayed form of Payment for Yaka Tokens, but using alternative methods to buy your Tokens can easily expedite your overall experience, and here are some of the best Smartphone Apps that ensure Instant tokens.

• PayWay Wallet
• Ever Send
• Easy Pay
• Xente
• Chap Chap
• A-Pay
• Mobile Banking Apps (Stanbic bank, Equity Bank, Standard Chartered, DFCU bank, among others)

From the list, Payway rocks as the best App that allows you to get instant Yaka tokens once your payment is received by UMEME. This is due to the fact that Payway operates on a much faster link as compared to other methods.

So, buying Token through a digital payments App will save you from delays caused by a high number of customers making UMEME payments through the same channel attributing to late Token deliveries.

Editor’s Note: The UMEME App is a must-have to access a database of your UMEME Yaka Tokens, But for some users, the App may delay and patience may be a perfect choice. So, always buy your UMEME Yaka Tokens at least 1hour prior to a blackout for higher chances of swift Tokens delivery.

Though buying tokens has been ruled by telecom companies through mobile money wallets, UMEME Yaka tokens can still be purchased through other channels away from the mobile money path and here are some of those you should be using.

Through Digital Payment Channels

Digital Payment channels are on the rise and the Uganda Startup ecosystem is accountable for the bullish spikes. With Innovations like Xente, EasyPay, Apay among others closing the competition margin with PayWay, it has become easier and faster to buy Yaka tokens

To buy Yaka Tokens through these payment platforms, all you need is their App, register, deposit funds and start making your payments with ease. The popular most trusted Smartphone payment Apps include:

• PayWay Wallet
• Pebuu
• EasyPay
• Xente
• APay
• Chipper Cash
• Wala
• Among Others

Via Your Bank Account

Banks move fast with current trends, With Mobile Money usage on the rise in Uganda, Local banks have developed new ways to bridge the gap between them and their customers. It’s through this that you can now make payments through your Bank Account

At the moment, almost all banks in Uganda have mobile banking services alongside Internet banking as another viable option. However, the same banks have created self-service branches like one that was recently launched by Absa bank for easy payments without following a queue

To buy Yaka tokens using your Bank account, you should either register for Mobile Banking or Internet banking to be granted access to your account’s digital interface.

To register for Mobile banking, you should dial your bank’s unique USSD code, Enter or Create a PIN to get access to your Account’s dashboard where you can buy Yaka Tokens by selecting utility payments, For Equity Bank customers here is how they can buy Yaka tokens via Mobile banking

• *247#
• Enter PIN
• On Your Account Menu, Select Make Payments
• Choose Utility Payments
• Select UMEME
• Enter Account Number
• Then Amount
• Enter PIN to confirm Payment
• Wait for a Yaka Token sent to your Phone Number
• Done

Through a Mobile Money App

In Uganda, MTN boasts as the best Mobile Money provider as Airtel follows with a normal margin separating the two telcos. Fortunately, both providers have Smartphone apps that make Mobile Money payments easier

MTN has a revamped MTN Momo App as Airtel holds the Airtel Money app, and both apps are available off the Google and Apple store. However, Africell which is the 3rd mobile money provider doesn’t have an Africell Money and you have to stick to its USSD codes for now

To make payments through a Mobile Money App, simply login to your Account, then buy Yaka tokens by entering your account number where appropriate then confirm with your Mobile Money pin to receive your token via SMS.

MTN Momo App

• Open the MTN Momo app
• Tap Login
• Wait for a One Time PIN
• Enter your Mobile Money PIN
• Off the Main App Dashboard, Select Payments
• Choose Utility Payments
• Select UMEME, then Yaka
• Enter A/C number and Amount
• Then, confirm with your Mobile Money PIN
• Done: Wait for a confirmation SMS that contains your Token Number

On the Airtel Money App

• Open the Airtel Money App to login
• On the App Dashboard, Choose payments
• Then, Utility Payments
• Select UMEME Yaka to enter A/C Number
• Input payment amount, then confirm with your Airtel Money PIN
• Done: Wait for an SMS containing your Yaka Token Number