Govt Allocates Shs5.4 Billion for Karuma-Olwiyo Power Line Repairs

The Ugandan government has committed Shs5.407 billion towards the urgent repair of the Karuma-Olwiyo electricity transmission line. The funds are earmarked for replacing five steel lattice towers that collapsed in Nwoya District on February 18, 2026. Authorities attribute the structural failures to vandalism, alleging that vandals cut vital support metals.

Sinohydro Corporation Limited, the contractor initially involved in constructing the Karuma Hydropower Dam, has been contracted to undertake the replacement of the damaged towers. This process is expected to be extensive, involving the construction of new foundations, manufacturing and importing steel components, erecting the new towers, and subsequent testing and commissioning.

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) confirmed that the damaged towers were beyond repair and required complete replacement. The total contract value, including taxes, is estimated at approximately $1.105 million plus Shs1.427 billion in taxes. Works are projected to take a year, with an estimated completion date of August 2027.

While UETCL maintains vandalism as the cause, the collapse sparked controversy, with some local officials suggesting substandard materials and poor engineering might have contributed. UETCL spokesman Muhammed Lubogo assured the public that power supply to the Olwiyo sub-station has not been interrupted, as alternative transmission routes are currently being utilized.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure and the significant costs associated with its repair and maintenance. The Karuma Interconnection Project, commissioned in March 2023, is a substantial undertaking aimed at bolstering the nation’s power transmission network.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-releases-shs5-4b-to-fix-vandalised-karuma-olwiyo-power-line-5620088