The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has completed a major upgrade of the Kampala South Substation, increasing its capacity from 20 megawatts to 34 megawatts in a move aimed at reducing power outages and meeting rapidly rising electricity demand along the Entebbe Road corridor.
The substation, one of the busiest in Kampala, had been operating under strain after demand climbed to 20.45 megawatts—exceeding the capacity of its original 15/20-megawatt transformer—raising the risk of frequent power interruptions for households and businesses.
UEDCL said the upgrade restores critical headroom to the system and secures electricity supply for the area for years to come.
Central to the project was the installation and commissioning of a new 10/14MVA, 33/11kV transformer, which introduces redundancy and allows electricity loads to be shared more efficiently across the network.
Previously, six major feeders—Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi and Kabowa—were all dependent on a closed bus coupler, limiting operational flexibility during faults or scheduled maintenance.
The upgrade directly benefits about 650 commercial customers and more than 108,000 domestic consumers supplied by the Kampala South Substation, who are expected to experience significantly improved supply reliability.
UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa said the project eliminates the threat of substation overload while strengthening system resilience.
“We will see improved supply reliability and the introduction of transformer redundancy in the event of failure or maintenance of either transformer,” Mwesigwa said.
“The Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders are currently loaded on the newly installed transformer, creating better load distribution and operational flexibility. I can declare with authority that the substation can handle both current and future demand because the risk of overload has now been eliminated.”
The Kampala South upgrade forms part of a broader nationwide grid-strengthening programme under UEDCL’s new mandate.
Over the past eight months, the company has increased capacity at several substations, including Kakiri, Kabale, Masaka, Kumi and Mubende, in response to growing electricity demand in urban and regional centres.
Looking ahead, UEDCL has secured land within Kampala for the construction of two additional substations, alongside another planned for Magigye along Zirobwe Road, as it prepares for continued growth in power consumption.
Further reinforcements are also planned downstream, with upgrades earmarked for key feeders such as Mutundwe–Mityana, Mutundwe–Nakawuka and Budo, as well as the Waligo–Namugongo interconnection. UEDCL says once these projects are completed, Kampala is expected to enjoy a stable and reliable power supply by 2026.
Mwesigwa also acknowledged public cooperation in regularising electricity connections through the “Weterezeeee” campaign.
“Over 32,461 Ugandans have responded, and all of them will receive electricity connections under the Government of Uganda’s free connections programme,” he said.
He further urged the public to remain vigilant against vandalism of power infrastructure, noting that such acts have disrupted electricity reliability in hundreds of reported incidents since April 2025.
