The Kampala South Substation has successfully been upgraded from 20 Megawatts (MW) to 34 MW, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) announced, as part of ongoing efforts to optimise the national grid and improve electricity supply reliability.

The upgrade included the installation and commissioning of a 10/14MVA, 33/11kV transformer, designed to meet growing demand along Entebbe Road, which had previously reached 20.45 MW. The expansion addresses three key issues: transformer capacity strain, the dependence of six major feeders—Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi, and Kabowa—on a single bus coupler, and recurrent power outages affecting 650 commercial and 108,000 domestic customers.

Paul Mwesigwa, UEDCL Managing Director, said the upgrade will enhance supply reliability and introduce transformer redundancy for maintenance or failure. “The Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders are now loaded on the new transformer, allowing better load distribution and operational flexibility. The substation can handle current and future demand, eliminating the risk of overload,” he said.

In the first eight months of UEDCL’s new mandate, several other substations have also been upgraded, including Kakiri (14 MVA to 28 MVA), Kabale (2.5 MVA to 5 MVA), Masaka (5 MVA to 7 MVA), Kumi (1.5 MVA to 2.5 MVA), and Mubende (2.5 MVA to 5 MVA).

To accommodate increasing electricity demand, UEDCL has acquired land in Kampala for two new substations and another site in Magigye along Zirobwe Road. Additionally, feeder upgrades are planned in several areas, including Mutundwe-Mityana, Mutundwe-Nakawuka-Budo, and Waligo-Namugongo. Once completed, these improvements will ensure steady power supply in Kampala in 2026.

Mwesigwa also thanked Ugandans who participated in the “Weterezeeee” campaign to normalise electricity connections. Over 32,461 people responded and will receive free connections under the government program. He urged vigilance against vandalism, noting that 330 incidents reported since April 1, 2025, have affected reliability nationwide.