KAMPALA – The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has launched a nationwide stakeholder engagement drive aimed at addressing concerns over power supply reliability, strengthening collaboration with local leaders, and gathering feedback on service delivery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The initiative was launched and kicked off in Kira Municipality, with UEDCL officials outlining a series of ongoing network interventions designed to improve electricity supply in the area and surrounding communities.
The Acting Chief Commercial and Operations Services Officer, Isaac Katewanga, noted that the engagement with local leaders aims to explain the causes of supply interruptions, share information on ongoing projects, listen to concerns, and explore collaboration.
“We are engaging with local leaders to explain the causes of the current supply interruptions, provide information on ongoing projects, listen to their concerns, and explore opportunities for collaboration,” Katewanga said.
He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by frequent power cuts, noting that the company is implementing short-term interventions and long-term infrastructure investments to address network constraints and meet growing electricity demand.
UEDCL is currently undertaking infrastructure projects, including the Kawanda Substation transformer upgrade, which is intended to address capacity constraints affecting customers in Naalya and Kyaliwajala.
The electricity distribution body has commenced the splitting of the Seeta and Bukerere distribution line to relieve network congestion, improve voltage stability, and support faster restoration of supply.
Other immediate interventions include the deployment of additional transformers in heavily loaded areas, replacement of strained transformers with higher-capacity units, and prompt replacement of damaged poles and conductors.
Samson Tondo, Head of Engineering Services for the Central Region, said the interventions will benefit over 80,000 customers across Kira, Namugongo, Kyaliwajala, Bulindo, Kitukutwe, Nsasa, Nabusugwe, Naalya, Kasangati, Najjera, Kitikifumba, Nakwero, Kijabijjo, Bukerere, Sonde, and surrounding areas.
Tondo revealed that UEDCL is working with its counterpart, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), to support the planned increase in Greater Kampala transmission capacity from 80MW to 200MW.
“The long-term investments in the pipeline to benefit different parts of the country include the construction of the Magigye, Kigo, and Nakasero substations, as well as upgrades of Kireka, Busunju, Kakiri, Mubende, Kanyantogoro, Jinja Industrial, Kabaale, and Mbale substations,” Tondo said.
Areas set to benefit from ongoing power line refurbishment projects include Mityana, Masaka, Kasese, and Bushenyi, among others. Once these projects are completed, UEDCL expects to achieve a 98% improvement in supply reliability.
Tondo expressed concern over rising vandalism that has left communities in darkness and disrupted essential services, urging local leaders and the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to UEDCL and local authorities.
Jessica Zziwa, Head of Commercial and Operations Services for the Central Region, called on the public to join the fight against new electricity connection fraudsters, describing them as a major concern.
“We encourage customers to pay for new connections directly to UEDCL through our accredited partner banks and mobile payment platforms. Do not pay cash to anyone promising to speed up your connection,” Zziwa said.
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) was formed in 2001 pursuant to the 1999 Act (as amended in 2022), following the split of the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB).
UEDCL is mandated to own all electricity distribution networks below 33kV across Uganda, and it received a license for the sale and distribution of electricity on 31 December 2024.
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