The Government, through Kalangala Infrastructure Services Ltd (KIS), has provided 3,000 free electricity meters for Buggala Island residents.

In 2014, the Government introduced the residents of Buggala island to a thermal and solar hybrid power supply through (KIS) replacing UEDCL, which was supplying only generator power to Kalangala Town Council. However, at the time, only 400 people were connected to this power which used to be switched on at 6:00 am till midday.

Now, through its Electricity Connection Policy, the Government is to connect more 3,000 islanders to power. Currently, with a generation of 1.6MW, 5,700 islanders are connected to power.

Islanders who wanted new connections have been paying shillings 800,000 to 1.4 million. However, through this programme, they will only pay an inspection fee of shillings 48,000.

A submarine cable under installation on Lake Victoria. Photo by Samuel Nkuba

Submarine cable

Also, the Government is installing a power submarine cable that will connect the island to the national power grid after discovering that this hybrid station has not been doing well accompanied with constant load shedding.

Addressing the media on power supply, Joseph Mulindwa, the KIS spokesperson narrated that more benefits are coming with this submarine cable power tariff reduction inclusive.

“We hope that a new power tariff will be set lower than the one in existence, power will be on 24/7 and even the villages which had no power will now be connected,” he says.  

The operation of this cable will be under the KIS management who have already installed the change-over switches at Bukuzindu Hybrid Power Station.

According to Lukwago, the power plant manager, the two systems will be well managed where one will be operational at once.

“Arrangements have already been made since we have auto reclosers which have been installed at Bugoma and Bukuzindu. We will prioritise in case it's time and we have enough from solar, we will block the power from submarine cable, and during the night, we will open that of the cable since our solar will then be down,” he added.    

Disan Bisula, one of the customers, says this new programme of marine cable might see other islands benefitting since KIS will be able to open up other stations.  

A lot of development is witnessed at Buggala due to the availability of power. Bambalazaabwe Ssemakula, one of the island natives, has lauded the Government and the entity for making the lives of islanders better.  

Currently, over 60 people have completed their application documents for the free power connection topping up on 400 who missed out in 2021 after the Government's closure of the ECP programme.