The government’s efforts to improve electricity reliability in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) have received a boost after the transmission system upgrade project attained 90.57% completion.
The milestone was recorded during an inspection of the ongoing works by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Managing Director Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) Chief Executive Officer Eng. Richard Matsiko.
The USD 83.3 million Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project, financed through concessional support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is intended to expand transmission capacity and strengthen the resilience of the power network serving Kampala and neighbouring areas.
The project involves major infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of substations at Maya (Buloba) and Mukono, refurbishment of existing facilities at Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali, strengthening of key 132kV transmission lines, and installation of a mobile substation at Namungoona.
Officials said the upgrades are critical in meeting growing electricity demand in the metropolitan area while reducing disruptions caused by network limitations.
They noted that some planned outages during the construction period are unavoidable, as they allow engineers to safely carry out works needed to deliver a more reliable electricity system.
Once completed, the project is expected to increase power transmission capacity, improve supply stability and support businesses, industries and households across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
