UEDCL Upgrades Kampala South Substation’s capacity to 34MW

Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Uganda has upgraded the Kampala South Substation from 20 megawatts to 34 megawatts  

The upgrade involves the installation of a new 10/14 MVA, 33/11 kV transformer aimed at easing pressure on existing infrastructure and meeting steadily rising demand.

UEDCL said peak demand at the substation had reached 20.45 megawatts, surpassing its previous capacity while serving more than 650 commercial customers and approximately 108,000 domestic consumers.

According to UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa, the expansion addresses long-standing technical constraints that had left six major feeders—Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisubi, and Kabowa—dependent on a single bus coupler, increasing the risk of power interruptions.

“The new transformer introduces redundancy and allows for balanced load distribution. This means improved reliability and the ability to maintain supply even during equipment failure or scheduled maintenance,” Mwesigwa said.

He noted that the Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders have already been transferred to the newly installed transformer, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing outages for customers connected to the substation.

The Kampala South upgrade forms part of a broader grid reinforcement program under UEDCL’s new mandate. Within its first eight months of operations, the company has upgraded several substations nationwide, including Kakiri, Kabale, Masaka, Kumi, and Mubende, significantly increasing distribution capacity in those areas.

To meet future demand, UEDCL has also acquired land in Kampala City for the construction of two new substations, as well as another in Magigye along Zirobwe Road. Planned upgrades to key feeders—including Mutundwe–Mityana, Mutundwe–Nakawuka–Budo, and the Waligo–Namugongo interconnection—are expected to further stabilize power supply in the capital by 2026.

Mwesigwa commended electricity users who responded to the “Weterezeeee” campaign by regularizing their connections, noting that more than 32,461 customers will benefit from free electricity connections under a government program.

However, he warned that vandalism of electricity infrastructure remains a growing challenge, with 330 incidents reported since April 1, 2025, cautioning that such acts continue to undermine power supply reliability.