The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project has reached 90.57 per cent completion, with the Maya (Buloba) 220/132/33kV Substation now fully completed.
The progress was confirmed on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during an inspection of the project by Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Richard Matsiko, and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Acting Managing Director, Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo.
Funded through a JPY 13 billion (approximately USD 83.3 million) concessional loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project is being implemented by UETCL to strengthen the capacity, reliability and resilience of the electricity transmission network serving the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The ongoing works include the re-conductoring of critical 132kV transmission lines and upgrades to existing substations, activities that have necessitated planned power outages to facilitate safe construction.
The project also involves the construction of new substations at Maya and Mukono, upgrades at Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali substations, installation of new transmission lines, re-conductoring of existing 132kV lines and deployment of a mobile substation at Namungoona.
Eng. Matsiko acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the planned outages, but said the interruptions were necessary to deliver a stronger and more reliable transmission network capable of meeting Kampala’s rapidly growing electricity demand.
Eng. Rwabwogo said the project would, in the long term, improve power stability and quality, reduce network constraints and enhance service delivery as electricity demand continues to rise.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly increase transmission capacity in the metropolitan area, improve grid resilience, reduce the risk of widespread outages and support major economic developments, including industrial expansion and strategic infrastructure projects.
The improved network is also expected to support UEDCL’s ambitious electricity access programme, which targets connecting up to 300,000 new customers annually.
The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area is Uganda’s largest electricity consumer, with demand continuing to rise due to rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and commercial growth.
