energy 3 September 2026 Nile Post
UEDCL Boosts Power Reliability in Western Uganda Districts
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is undertaking a significant network upgrade in Ntungamo, Isingiro, and Rukungiri to enhance power supply reliability and meet increasing demand. This project follows the integration of a new transformer at the UETCL Mirama Hills Substation. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/368791/uedcl-moves-to-improve-power-supply-in-ntungamo-isingiro-and-rukungiri
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has initiated a crucial network upgrade project aimed at significantly improving electricity supply reliability across western Uganda, specifically in the districts of Ntungamo, Isingiro, and Rukungiri. This initiative is set to address the growing domestic and industrial electricity needs in the region.
The project’s foundation lies in the recent integration of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) Mirama Hills Substation into the UEDCL distribution network. This integration was made possible by the installation of a new 15 MVA, 132/33 KV transformer at the substation.
Works commenced in August 2026 and involve connecting the UEDCL distribution network to this newly installed transformer. A key aspect of the upgrade is the planned splitting of the existing Kikagati-Ntungamo feeder at Mirama Hills. This strategic division will create two distinct supply lines: one serving Ntungamo, Rukungiri, and parts of Rwampara, and the other catering to Isingiro and its surrounding areas.
Engineer Alex Atukunda, UEDCL’s Head of Commercial and Operations Services for the Western Region, highlighted that this integration offers a more efficient pathway for distributing electricity generated by the Kikagati Hydropower Plant on the Kagera River. The upgrade is expected to directly benefit over 30,000 domestic and approximately 700 commercial electricity consumers.
Furthermore, the project aims to resolve long-standing reliability issues in Ntungamo, where outdated feeder configurations have led to frequent power outages and technical losses. The improved network is also anticipated to bolster industrial growth by providing a stable power supply to major consumers like Terra Industrial Development Company, an iron-processing factory requiring substantial power, and Inspire Africa Coffee Park.
UEDCL anticipates that the initial phase will yield immediate improvements by mid-September, enhancing both the capacity and quality of the electricity supplied. A subsequent phase, pending approval, will further reinforce the network with additional infrastructure to meet future demand.