The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has embarked on a nationwide stakeholder engagement drive aimed at addressing concerns over unreliable power supply and improving service delivery.
The engagements, which started in Kira Municipality, on Thursday are intended to strengthen collaboration with local leaders, explain the causes of frequent power interruptions and gather feedback from electricity consumers.
Isaac Katewanga, the acting chief commercial and operations services officer at UEDCL, said the company was implementing both short- and long-term measures to address network constraints and meet growing electricity demand.
“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 outages in the area, saying the interventions are intended to improve reliability and reduce disruptions.
One of the major projects is the upgrade of the transformer at Kawanda Substation, which UEDCL says will address capacity constraints affecting customers in Naalya and Kyaliwajala. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The company has also started splitting the Seeta-Bukerere distribution line to ease network congestion, improve voltage stability and enable faster restoration of power when faults occur.
Other immediate measures include installing additional transformers in heavily loaded areas, replacing strained transformers with higher-capacity units and promptly replacing damaged electricity poles and conductors.
Samson Tondo, the head of engineering services for the central region, said the interventions will benefit more than 80,000 customers in Kira, Namugongo, Kyaliwajala, Bulindo, Kitukutwe, Nsasa, Nabusugwe, Naalya, Kasangati, Najjera, Kitikifumba, Nakwero, Kijabijjo, Bukerere, Sonde and surrounding areas.
Tondo said UEDCL was also working with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) to support the planned expansion of Greater Kampala’s transmission capacity from 80 megawatts to 200 megawatts.
He said other long-term investments include the construction of Magigye, Kigo and Nakasero substations and upgrades of the Kireka, Busunju, Kakiri, Mubende, Kanyantogoro, Jinja Industrial, Kabaale and Mbale substations.
Areas that will benefit from ongoing power-line refurbishment projects include Mityana, Masaka, Kasese and Bushenyi, among others.
UEDCL said completion of the projects is expected to significantly improve electricity supply reliability across the country, with the company targeting a 98 per cent improvement.
Vandalism concerns
The electricity distributor also raised concern over increasing vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which it said has left communities without power and disrupted essential services.
Tondo urged local leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving electricity infrastructure to UEDCL and local authorities.
Jessica Zziwa, the head of commercial and operations services for the central region, also warned the public against fraudsters who demand money to facilitate new electricity connections.
“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.
She urged customers to report suspected fraud through UEDCL’s whistleblower number, 0312330377, or to the nearest police station.
The meeting was attended by more than 100 local leaders, including Kampala East Regional Police Commander ASP Justus Tashobya, who commended UEDCL for investing in electricity distribution infrastructure.
Tashobya pledged police support in protecting the network from vandalism.
“We shall continue to work with UEDCL to ensure that perpetrators of vandalism and other offences are identified and apprehended,” he said.
Moses Haumba, the mayor of Namugongo Division, also commended UEDCL for engaging local leaders and listening to their concerns.
He said such engagements would strengthen cooperation between the utility company, local authorities and communities in addressing challenges affecting electricity service delivery.
UEDCL was established in 2001 following the split of the former Uganda Electricity Board. Its mandate includes owning electricity distribution networks below 33 kilovolts across the country. The company also received a licence to sell and distribute electricity in Uganda on December 31, 2024.
