The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced plans to upgrade its electricity distribution network in Kira, Namugongo, and Naalya, areas that have experienced frequent power outages. The upgrades are aimed at easing the pressure on the network, which has been strained by the growing demand for electricity in these rapidly expanding communities on the outskirts of Kampala. UEDCL says it will upgrade transformers, split overloaded distribution lines, and work on a bigger expansion of electricity capacity across Greater Kampala.
The state-owned distributor outlined its plans during a meeting with over 100 local leaders in Kira Municipality, the first step in a nationwide engagement campaign on electricity reliability and service delivery. UEDCL's acting chief commercial and operations services officer, Isaac Katewanga, said the company is pursuing both immediate fixes and longer-term investments to address network constraints. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by repeated interruptions and emphasized the need for collaboration with local leaders to address the challenges.
One of the biggest projects is an upgrade of the transformer at Kawanda substation, which UEDCL says should ease capacity constraints affecting customers in Naalya and Kyaliwajala. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. UEDCL has also started splitting the Seeta and Bukerere distribution line, an intervention intended to reduce network congestion, stabilize voltage, and allow electricity to be restored more quickly after interruptions.
In heavily loaded areas, UEDCL is installing additional transformers, replacing overstretched ones with higher-capacity units and replacing damaged poles and conductors. The interventions are expected to benefit over 80,000 customers in Kira, Namugongo, Kyaliwajala, Bulindo, Kitukutwe, Nsasa, Nabusugwe, Naalya, Kasangati, Najjera, Kitikifumba, Nakwero, Kijabijjo, Bukerere, and Sonde, among other surrounding communities.
The scale of the work points to a larger problem confronting Uganda's electricity system: getting electricity onto the national grid is only part of the challenge. The distribution infrastructure must also have sufficient capacity to deliver that power reliably to homes, shops, factories, and other users. UEDCL says it is working with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) on plans to increase transmission capacity in Greater Kampala from 80 megawatts to 200 megawatts.
Beyond Greater Kampala, longer-term projects include construction of substations at Magigye, Kigo, and Nakasero, alongside upgrades at Kireka, Busunju, Kakiri, Mubende, Kanyantogoro, Jinja Industrial, Kabaale, and Mbale. Power lines in Mityana, Masaka, Kasese, and Bushenyi are also undergoing refurbishment. UEDCL says that once the projects are completed, it expects a 98 percent improvement in supply reliability.
However, UEDCL also faces challenges such as vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which is increasing, leaving communities without power and disrupting essential services. The company is urging residents and local leaders to report suspicious activity around electricity installations to UEDCL or local authorities. Additionally, UEDCL is warning customers about fraudsters targeting people seeking new electricity connections, and urging them to pay for new connections directly to UEDCL through accredited partner banks and mobile payment platforms.
Key points
- UEDCL to upgrade transformers and split overloaded lines in Kira, Namugongo, and Naalya
- The projects are expected to benefit over 80,000 customers in the affected areas
- UEDCL expects a 98 percent improvement in supply reliability once the projects are completed
