The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has completed a significant upgrade of the Kampala South Substation, increasing its capacity from 20 Megawatts to 34 Megawatts in a move aimed at strengthening power supply reliability across parts of Kampala and Entebbe Road.
The upgrade involved the installation and commissioning of a new 10/14 MVA, 33/11kV transformer, enhancing the substation’s ability to handle growing electricity demand, which had peaked at 20.45 megawatts and exceeded the safe operating limits of the previous infrastructure.
According to UEDCL, the improvement resolves long-standing capacity strain at the substation, which previously relied on a single transformer and a closed bus coupler to support six major feeders: Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi, and Kabowa. The situation had exposed over 650 commercial consumers and approximately 108,000 domestic customers to frequent outages.
UEDCL Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa, said the upgrade introduces critical transformer redundancy, ensuring continuity of supply even during maintenance or unexpected equipment failure.
“We will see improved supply reliability and operational flexibility. The risk of substation overload has now been eliminated, and the facility is well-positioned to handle both current and future demand,” Mwesigwa said.
He added that the Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders have already been transferred to the newly installed transformer, enabling better load distribution and system resilience.
The Kampala South upgrade is part of UEDCL’s broader grid enhancement programme under its new mandate. In the first eight months alone, the company has upgraded several substations across the country, including Kakiri, Kabale, Masaka, Kumi, and Mubende.
To further meet rising urban demand, UEDCL has acquired land to construct two additional substations within Kampala City and another in Magigye along Zirobwe Road. Plans are also underway to upgrade key downstream feeders, including Mutundwe–Mityana, Mutundwe–Nakawuka–Budo, and the Waligo–Namugongo interconnection.
UEDCL projects that once these developments are completed, Kampala will enjoy a more stable and reliable electricity supply by 2026.
Mwesigwa also commended Ugandans who responded to the “Weterezeeee” electricity normalization campaign, noting that over 32,461 users have come forward and will benefit from the Government of Uganda’s free electricity connections programme.
However, he raised concerns over increasing vandalism of electricity infrastructure, reporting 330 vandalism incidents since April 1, 2025, which have negatively affected grid reliability.
“We urge all Ugandans to remain vigilant and protect electricity infrastructure, which is critical to national development,” he said.
