Electricity network upgrades nearing completion - govt
Musenero said the Government understands the frustration caused by intermittent power supply and acknowledged that communication about the planned works had not been adequate.
Energy minister Dr Monica Musenero speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Courtesy: X/@UgandaMediaCent)
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The power disruptions are largely linked to ongoing upgrades and rehabilitation of the electricity transmission and distribution networks, the energy minister Dr Monica Musenero has explained.
Musenero said the Government understands the frustration caused by intermittent power supply and acknowledged that communication about the planned works had not been adequate.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Musenero said the ministry had received complaints from the public through social media, telephone calls and radio discussions.
“We acknowledge the inconveniences and losses these interruptions have caused to you all. Before the intensification of the outages, we made an effort to communicate, but from the response, it is clear that we did not do it well – and the population was taken unaware. For that, on behalf of the sector, I apologise and I want to say, we are with you, we hear you,” Musenero said.
The minister said the current power interruptions were being experienced in several parts of the country, including large sections of Kampala. Among the affected areas are; Kyambogo, Ntinda, Kisaasi, Kulambiro, Kololo, Kawempe, Makerere, Nakulabye, Namungoona and Kasubi.
Musenero said the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is now 91% complete, with the works expected to be concluded on August 8, 2026.
The project involves the construction of new sub-stations at Maya in Buloba and Mukono, upgrading of sub-stations at Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali, reinforcement of critical 132KV transmission lines and deployment of a mobile substation at Namungoona.
“These planned outages are necessary to enable the safe execution of works that will ultimately deliver a stronger, more resilient and more reliable electricity network,” Musenero said.
She explained that electricity demand in Uganda continues to rise rapidly due to expanding industrial activity, increased household connections and government investments in productive use of electricity.
Since January this year, more than 76,000 new customers have been connected to the national grid, while about 500,000 customers have applied for connections, the minister added.
Musenero said UEDCL is ready to connect 300,000 customers within the next five months as additional connection materials are acquired.
She said the rising demand has placed pressure on parts of the electricity network, making reinforcement and rehabilitation necessary. “The Government had to expand the capacity and repair the ageing infrastructure to improve service and accommodate more consumers," she said. The minister warned that vandalism of electricity infrastructure continues to undermine the reliability of power supply.
She said vandalism targeting transmission towers, conductors, transformers, poles and other critical equipment leads to avoidable outages, costly repairs and delays in restoring electricity.
“We therefore strongly appeal to all Ugandans to safeguard electricity infrastructure as a national asset,” Musenero said.
She urged members of the public to report suspicious activities around transmission lines, sub-stations, transformers and electricity poles to the nearest police station, UEDCL or Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited.