Ugandans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief following the completion of the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project.
The Japanese Yen (JPY)14.5 billion ($92.3 million or about Shs343.3billion) project is being undertaken by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), the Consortium of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and China Machinery Engineering Corporation, with financing by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project has been delivered within the planned timeline of August 8, and aims at strengthening the reliability, stability, and resilience of Uganda’s electricity transmission network.
Dr Patricia Litho, the Assistant Commissioner for Communications and Information Management at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, says the completion follows four months of ‘intensive work and dedication’.
‘The upgraded transmission network will increase electricity capacity, improve reliability, reduce power interruptions and strengthen the resilience of supply for residents, businesses and industries across Kampala Metropolitan Area,’ she said on Saturday.
She added that for industries and commercial enterprises, the upgrade means a more dependable electricity supply to support productivity, business continuity, investment and future growth.
Eng Daniel Kisira, the Head of Projects Implementation at the UEDCL, says the upgrade now means reduced wide area outages in the Metropolitan Area.
‘Residents have been complaining of frequent power interruptions occasioned by the need to replace old wires with new high capacity wires that can serve the growing demand in the Kampala area which consumes more than 60% of the national electricity generated,’ said Eng Kisira.
The project is being implemented in two strategic lots, with Lot 1 expected to be completed by June 2026 and Lot 2 by February 2027.
‘Overall, completion is above 90%, with only Mukono substation and Kawaala substation works pending, but expected to be completed by February 2027,’ Eng Kisira said, adding that the scope completed so far is Buloba, Bujagali, Mutundwe, and now transmission reconductoring.
Earlier, Eng Kisira described the project as ‘one of our under-the-grid development plan designed to cater for the rising needs of Kampala City and its surrounding area’, and that construction of the 33 KV lines was to quickly integrate to this new substation to enable customers enjoy the benefits as soon as possible.
Upon completion of Lot 2 in February 2027, the project will significantly improve power reliability and system stability within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, reduce transmission constraints, improve voltage performance, minimise outages, and create the additional capacity required to support future economic growth and industrial expansion.
It will also strengthen investor confidence in Uganda’s energy sector and reinforce the country’s position as a competitive and attractive investment destination within the region.