UEDCL boosts power reliability in Kigezi Sub-region

The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced the successful upgrade of the Kabale substation from 2.5MVA to 5MVA, a significant move aimed at improving electricity reliability across the Kigezi sub-region. The enhancement, coupled with the construction of a new power line drawing supply from the recently commissioned Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) substation in Kabale, marks a milestone in the region’s power infrastructure development.

In a statement released by UEDCL, the utility company said these strategic investments are part of a broader national effort to strengthen Uganda’s electricity distribution backbone, particularly in underserved and high-growth regions.

“To enhance power reliability in the Kigezi sub-region, we have upgraded the Kabale substation from 2.5MVA to 5MVA. In addition, a new line extension has been constructed to draw power from the newly commissioned UETCL Kabale substation,” UEDCL noted.

The upgrade is expected to ease the chronic power fluctuations and outages that have long plagued communities and businesses in Kabale, Kisoro, Rubanda, and Rukiga districts. These disruptions have historically limited productivity in small industries, slowed service delivery, and discouraged investment in a region otherwise rich in tourism, agriculture, and mining potential.

Driving Economic Transformation

UEDCL says the expanded capacity will directly support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), facilitate the expansion of agro-processing plants, and power rural health and education facilities.

“This investment is in line with our broader mission to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the region, supporting business growth, accelerating industrialization and driving sustainable economic development,” UEDCL’s statement added.

The Kabale upgrade also aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III goals, which emphasize extending reliable power access to all corners of the country as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation.

Part of a Larger Grid Expansion Strategy

The project is part of UEDCL’s nationwide effort to modernize and decentralize power infrastructure in partnership with UETCL, the Rural Electrification Programme, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

Over the past five years, the government and its partners have been investing in substation upgrades, feeder line construction, and power quality improvement initiatives, especially in regions far from the national grid’s urban core.

According to UEDCL, similar upgrades have been implemented in other regional growth corridors including the Elgon, West Nile, and Acholi sub-regions—each tailored to local load demand projections and industrial development plans.

Powering the Future of Kigezi

The Kigezi sub-region, known for its hilly terrain and thriving cross-border trade with Rwanda and DRC, stands to benefit immensely from a more stable and expanded power supply. The new capacity could unlock opportunities in cold chain storage, tea processing, eco-tourism, and light manufacturing.

Local leaders have praised the initiative, calling it “long overdue” and essential to efforts aimed at attracting new investment to southwestern Uganda.

With the power landscape shifting, UEDCL says it will continue to monitor demand, invest in transformer upgrades, and strengthen customer service in rural and peri-urban areas.

“This is not just about more megawatts—it’s about lighting up opportunity for every home, school, business, and health centre,” said a senior UEDCL engineer involved in the project.