The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has started installing bird guards along the Waligo feeder in a bid to improve power supply reliability in Gayaza and surrounding areas.
The Waligo feeder is a critical interconnector between the Kawanda and Waligo substations, supplying electricity to key residential and commercial areas including Gayaza, Kyanja, Kungu, Masooli, Busukuma, Nangabo, Nalyamagonja, Komamboga, Kitetitika, Namere, Lusanja, Kiteezi and Kitala.
The line also serves major industrial customers, including Ugachick.
According to Kassim Kasana, the project lead, the feeder has experienced frequent reliability challenges, recording an average of five bird-related faults every month over the past four months.
He attributed the increasing power interruptions to the presence of a landfill located directly beneath the feeder route in Kidokolo Village, Kawanda, which has attracted large numbers of birds, particularly marabou storks.
“The waste dumping site has created a rich scavenging habitat for hundreds of marabou storks. These birds use the distribution poles as primary resting platforms between feeding periods,” Kasana said.
He explained that when the birds take off or land on the power structures, they often bridge the clearance gap between live conductors and grounded parts of the system, resulting in electrical faults that disrupt power supply.
“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,” he added.
Kasana said the installation of bird guards, expected to be completed by mid-July 2026, will reduce frequent outages, protect wildlife and safeguard utility revenue.
“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 said.
He noted that the intervention is also aligned with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) guidelines aimed at protecting biodiversity.
Marabou storks are recognised as an iconic and protected wildlife species in Uganda.
“By installing bird guards, we are ensuring that marabou storks attracted to the landfill can safely land on utility structures without completing an electrical circuit. The birds will be protected from fatal electrocution, while costly grid outages will be minimised,” Kasana said.
Jimmy Kiggundu, the area engineer for Namugongo, said the project is expected to significantly improve electricity reliability for customers served by the Waligo Substation.
“About 25,000 customers lose power supply whenever a bird comes into contact with the conductors along this feeder. Once the installation of bird guards is completed this month, both domestic and industrial customers served by the Waligo Substation will enjoy a more stable and reliable power supply,” Kiggundu said.
