Eng. Richard Matsiko (2nd Right) and Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo (2nd Left) are briefed by field engineers
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System is 90 percent complete, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s efforts to strengthen electricity reliability and support the country’s rapidly growing urban and industrial economy.
The progress was confirmed on Thursday following a joint inspection of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project by the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), Eng. Richard Matsiko, and the Acting Managing Director of the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo.
According to the two electricity agencies, the project has now reached 90.57 percent completion, with the Maya (Buloba) 220/132/33kV Substation already fully completed while other critical components continue to register significant progress.
The ongoing works include the re-conductoring of strategic 132kV transmission lines and upgrades to existing substations. These activities have necessitated planned power outages to guarantee the safety of workers, the public and the integrity of the transmission network during construction.
The Shs-equivalent JPY13 billion (about US$83.3 million) project is being financed through a concessional loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Government of Uganda. It is being implemented by UETCL, with a consortium comprising China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) undertaking the construction works.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen the electricity transmission network serving the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, which remains Uganda’s largest electricity consumption hub.
Speaking during the inspection, UETCL Chief Executive Officer Eng. Richard Matsiko acknowledged the inconvenience that customers have experienced because of the planned outages but emphasized that the temporary disruptions are necessary to deliver a stronger and more reliable electricity network.
“We understand the inconvenience these planned outages have caused to businesses and residents across the Kampala Metropolitan Area. However, these interruptions are a necessary part of delivering a stronger, more reliable transmission network capable of meeting the city’s rapidly growing electricity demand. We are now in the final stages of implementation and are working diligently to complete the remaining works as quickly and safely as possible,” Matsiko said.
He noted that electricity demand within the Kampala Metropolitan Area continues to grow rapidly, driven by urbanization, industrialization and commercial expansion estimated at approximately 15 percent annually.
According to Matsiko, the existing transmission infrastructure is operating close to its design limits, making strategic investments critical to improving network resilience, reducing congestion and enhancing the quality and reliability of electricity supply.
The project comprises the construction of new substations at Maya and Mukono, the upgrading of existing substations at Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali, installation of new transmission lines, re-conductoring of existing 132kV transmission lines and deployment of a mobile substation at Namungoona to strengthen electricity supply reliability across the metropolitan area.
Acting UEDCL Managing Director Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo said the investment would greatly improve electricity service delivery despite the temporary inconveniences currently being experienced by consumers.
“While customers are experiencing temporary interruptions today, the long-term benefits will be significant. This investment will improve the stability and quality of power supply, reduce network constraints, and enable us to serve customers more efficiently as demand continues to grow,” Rwabwogo said.
She sympathized with customers affected by the scheduled outages, describing them as unavoidable during the final stages of project implementation.
“Unfortunately, during the UETCL grid improvement works, there is intermittent supply as a result. We appeal to our customers to bear with us during this period for a great and better service delivery at the end of the day,” she added.
Rwabwogo observed that the enhanced transmission infrastructure will also support UEDCL’s ambitious electricity access programme, which targets connecting up to 300,000 new customers every year.
According to the joint statement, the upgraded transmission system will substantially increase electricity transmission capacity across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area while improving grid resilience and minimizing the risk of widespread power outages.
The improved infrastructure is also expected to support Uganda’s broader economic development agenda by providing reliable electricity for industrial expansion and major strategic investments, including the planned Buloba Pump Station under the country’s oil and gas development programme.
The two power sector agencies reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the public informed throughout the remaining phase of implementation and thanked customers for their continued patience and cooperation during the planned outages.
“We appreciate the continued understanding and cooperation of customers as Uganda invests in a stronger electricity transmission network to support sustainable national development,” the joint statement said.
The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project is one of Uganda’s flagship electricity infrastructure investments aimed at modernizing the national grid, improving power reliability and ensuring that the country’s transmission network keeps pace with growing demand from households, businesses and industries.
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