UEDCL upgrades Kampala South substation to 34MW

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The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has completed the upgrade of the Kampala South Substation from 20 megawatts (MW) to 34MW, a move aimed at improving power supply reliability along Entebbe Road and across the greater Kampala metropolitan area.

The upgrade involved the installation and commissioning of a 10/14MVA, 33/11kV power transformer under UEDCL’s ongoing system optimisation and grid enhancement programme.

The project was designed to address rising electricity demand at the substation, which had reached 20.45MW, exceeding the capacity of the existing 15/20MW transformer.

The commissioning ceremony was held on December 29, 2025.

UEDCL managing director Paul Mwesigwa said the upgrade reduces transformer redundancy, ensuring continuity of supply in the event of equipment failure or routine maintenance. (Courtesy photo)

According to UEDCL, the upgrade resolves three major challenges, including capacity strain at the substation, overreliance on a closed bus coupler and vulnerability to outages affecting all six major feeders: Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi and Kabowa.

The improvements are expected to significantly enhance service delivery for more than 650 commercial consumers and over 108,000 domestic customers supplied by the substation.

UEDCL managing director Paul Mwesigwa said the upgrade reduces transformer redundancy, ensuring continuity of supply in the event of equipment failure or routine maintenance.

“We will see improved supply reliability and the introduction of transformer redundancy in the event of failure or maintenance of either transformer,” Mwesigwa said.

He added that the Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders have already been transferred to the newly installed transformer, allowing for better load balancing and improved operational flexibility.

“The substation can now comfortably handle both current and future demand. The risk of substation overload has been eliminated,” he noted.

Kampala South is among several substations upgraded during the first eight months of UEDCL’s new mandate. Others include Kakiri, upgraded from 14MVA to 28MVA, Kabale from 2.5MVA to 5MVA, Masaka from 5MVA to 7MVA, Kumi from 1.5MVA to 2.5MVA and Mubende from 2.5MVA to 5MVA.

To further meet rising electricity demand, UEDCL has secured land within Kampala City to construct two additional substations, as well as another in Magigye on Zirobwe Road. Downstream network upgrades are also planned for several feeders, including Mutundwe–Mityana, Mutundwe–Nakawuka–Budo and the Waligo–Namugongo interconnection.

Once these projects are completed, Kampala is expected to enjoy a more stable and reliable power supply in 2026.

Mwesigwa commended electricity users who responded to UEDCL’s “Weterezeeee” campaign to regularise power connections.

“More than 32,461 Ugandans have responded, and all will benefit from the government’s free electricity connections programme,” he said.

However, he warned that vandalism remains a major threat to power reliability, noting that UEDCL has recorded 330 vandalism incidents nationwide since April 1, 2025.

“We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and help protect the electricity grid,” he said.