KAWANDA, Wakiso District (UGNEWSLINE) – More than 4,000 electricity customers in parts of Wakiso and Greater Kampala are expected to benefit from improved power reliability following ongoing upgrades at Kawanda substation, as electricity distributors race to address growing pressure on the national grid.
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has embarked on an upgrade of the electricity network around Kawanda to address persistent power interruptions affecting households and businesses in several communities.
The intervention follows an increase in power capacity allocated to UEDCL by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), in a move aimed at easing supply constraints affecting Kakiri, Kawempe, Matugga, Bombo, Namugongo, Magigye, Gayaza, Manyangwa, Nakwero and Namulonge, among other areas.
UEDCL is upgrading the interconnecting power line at Kawanda substation to ensure the additional electricity capacity can be transmitted more reliably to consumers.
The company has also abandoned the original underground copper cable design in favour of an overhead line, citing the need to minimise supply disruptions, prevent vandalism and make maintenance easier.
UEDCL area engineer Peter Mwondha said construction work was progressing, with 17 pole structures already erected as engineers moved to install the electricity lines.
He said the project was expected to be completed over the weekend, after which more than 4,000 customers in Kakiri, Kawempe and Namulonge would experience improved electricity reliability.
The upgrade comes amid growing complaints from electricity consumers in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and surrounding districts over frequent outages, which have disrupted household activities and business operations.
UEDCL acting managing director Joselynne R. Rwabwogo said the company was implementing a series of immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term interventions to address the electricity supply challenges in Kampala and Wakiso.
She acknowledged that some communities were experiencing significant supply constraints, particularly in the Greater Bombo area, where limitations at Kawanda substation and Magigye have affected electricity distribution.
Rwabwogo said UETCL and UEDCL were also advancing plans to double the capacity of Kawanda substation from 40 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to 80MVA before the end of this year.
The expansion is expected to provide additional capacity to serve the growing demand for electricity in the surrounding communities.
She added that land had already been acquired for the proposed Matugga substation, while the manufacturing of its equipment was underway. The investment is expected to substantially ease electricity supply constraints in the area by the second quarter of 2027.
The company is also responding to growing electricity demand along the Hoima Road corridor, particularly in Wakiso and Nansana, where rapid industrial and residential expansion has placed increasing pressure on the existing distribution network.
According to Rwabwogo, a contractor is preparing to begin work on a second power line from Kakiri substation, where an additional transformer has already been installed.
The interventions form part of wider efforts to strengthen electricity distribution infrastructure as urbanisation, industrial activity and population growth continue to increase demand for reliable power.
UEDCL has appealed to residents to exercise caution around construction sites and report electricity theft and vandalism of power infrastructure to the company, local council authorities or the nearest police station.
