Kasese, Uganda: The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has launched a Shs16 billion electricity network improvement project aimed at reducing persistent power outages and strengthening electricity supply across Kasese, Rubirizi and Bushenyi districts.
The project will refurbish the Nkenda-Kasese and Nkenda-Ishaka 33kV distribution feeders, which have experienced frequent power interruptions since 2022, disrupting households, businesses and industries in the three districts.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Kasese Resident District Commissioner Lt. Joe Walusimbi welcomed the investment, describing it as a timely intervention that will improve electricity reliability and stimulate economic activity.
“This intervention is timely and we are positive that it will greatly improve electricity reliability for our communities and support economic activities in the region. I pledge to work with UEDCL to ensure that this critical infrastructure is protected from vandalism.”
Walusimbi also called on residents to help safeguard the electricity network from vandalism.
According to Project Manager Johnson Okochi, the Nkenda-Ishaka line was identified among Uganda’s poorest-performing distribution lines in 2022 after recording more than 500 hours of power outages annually.
He attributed the frequent interruptions to bush fires, particularly within Queen Elizabeth National Park, which have accelerated the deterioration of wooden electricity poles.
Okochi added that increased electricity generation from the Kyambura, Lubilia, Nyamagasani I and Nyamagasani II hydropower plants, with a combined installed capacity of 34 megawatts, has further strained the ageing network.
“To improve the reliability of both Nkenda-Kasese and Nkenda-Ishaka feeders, we will replace deteriorated wooden pole infrastructure and reinforce critical sections of the network to accommodate the growing electricity generation from Independent Power Producers,” Okochi said.
The upgrade will include replacing more than 1,000 wooden poles with concrete poles, upgrading over 100 kilometres of conductors, and installing auto-reclosers and motorised air-break switches to improve network performance.
UEDCL says the improvements will increase electricity evacuation capacity, reduce technical losses, strengthen switching operations and significantly improve power supply reliability across the affected districts.
Once completed, the project is expected to substantially reduce unplanned outages while enabling more efficient evacuation of electricity generated by hydropower plants in the Rwenzori region.
Rwenzori Region Territory Manager Marion Ninsiima said customers should expect a more stable electricity supply after completion of the project.
“The upgraded infrastructure will improve switching operations and stability of the network. Our customers should expect fewer interruptions, improved voltage stability and more reliable power supply.”
However, she cautioned that planned power interruptions will occur during construction.
Ninsiima said customers should expect temporary outages every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday over the next eight months as engineers undertake the refurbishment works.
“Unfortunately, during the repair period, there may be 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.”
The Nkenda-Ishaka Capacity and Reliability Improvement Project forms part of UEDCL’s wider investment programme to modernise Uganda’s electricity distribution infrastructure following the company’s assumption of nationwide electricity distribution responsibilities.
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