Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has commenced the installation of bird guards along the Waligo feeder to reduce frequent power outages and improve electricity supply reliability for more than 25,000 customers in Gayaza and surrounding areas.
The project, which began this week and is expected to be completed by mid-July 2026, targets persistent bird-related faults that have disrupted electricity supply along the critical medium-voltage line linking the Kawanda and Waligo substations.
The feeder serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in Gayaza, Kyanja, Kungu, Masooli, Busukuma, Nangabo, Nalyamagonja, Komamboga, Kitetikka, Namere, Lusanja, Kiteezi and Kitala, including major poultry producer Ugachick.
Project lead Kassim Kasana said the line has recorded an average of five bird-related faults every month over the past four months, significantly affecting power reliability. He attributed the increase in outages to the establishment of a landfill in Kidokolo Village, Kawanda, directly beneath the feeder corridor.
According to Kasana, the dumpsite has attracted hundreds of marabou storks, which frequently perch on electricity poles after scavenging for food.
“The waste dumping site has created a rich scavenging habitat for hundreds of marabou storks. These birds utilize the distribution poles as primary resting platforms between feeding periods,” Kasana said.
He explained that when the birds take off or land, they occasionally bridge the clearance between live conductors and grounded structures, triggering electrical faults.
“The birds frequently bridge the strict clearance gap between live conductors and grounded structures when taking off or landing, resulting in faults that disrupt power supply.”
Bird Guards to Improve Reliability
Kasana said the installation of bird guards will create an additional insulation barrier around conductors, preventing accidental contact by birds, vegetation and temporary conductor clashes from causing short circuits.
“The medium-voltage line covers used as bird guards provide an enhanced insulation barrier around conductors. This ensures that accidental contact by birds, vegetation or temporary conductor clashes does not result in short circuits.”
He added that the intervention is expected to eliminate recurring outages, improve system reliability and reduce revenue losses arising from repeated network interruptions.
Beyond improving electricity supply, UEDCL says the project also supports environmental conservation by protecting one of Uganda’s most recognisable bird species.
Kasana noted that the initiative aligns with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) guidelines on biodiversity conservation.
“By installing bird guards, we are ensuring that marabou storks drawn to the landfill can safely land on utility structures without completing an electrical circuit. The birds will be insulated from fatal electrocutions and the costly grid outages will be minimized.”
25,000 Customers to Benefit
Namugongo Area Engineer Jimmy Kiggundu said the project is expected to significantly improve power reliability for households, businesses and industries supplied through the Waligo Substation.
“About 25,000 customers lose power supply whenever a bird comes into contact with the conductors along this feeder.”
He expressed optimism that the intervention would provide lasting benefits once completed. “Once the installation of bird guards is completed this month, both domestic and industrial customers served by the Waligo Substation will enjoy more stable and reliable power supply.”
UEDCL has been implementing several network improvement projects across the country as part of efforts to reduce outages, improve service reliability and strengthen electricity distribution following its assumption of the national electricity distribution concession.
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