UEDCL to double Kawanda substation capacity as Greater Kampala outages persist

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) says it will double the capacity of Kawanda Substation and build a new substation at Matugga. The utility says the work is meant to ease power outages on the outskirts of Kampala and in parts of Wakiso District, where demand from households, businesses and industries has outgrown the network.

UEDCL Acting Managing Director Eng Joselynne Rwakakooko said UEDCL and the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) were at an advanced stage of expanding Kawanda Substation from 40 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to 80 MVA. Completion is targeted before the end of 2026.

Eng Rwakakooko acknowledged that some communities, particularly in the Greater Bombo area, continue to experience significant supply constraints because of limitations at Kawanda Substation and Magigye.

According to Eng Rwakakooko, UEDCL has acquired land for Matugga Substation and the equipment is being manufactured. The company expects the new facility to ease supply constraints in surrounding areas by the second quarter of 2027.

In the meantime, UEDCL is upgrading a power line at Kawanda Substation after UETCL allocated additional electricity capacity to the distributor. The utility says the works should ease capacity-related outages in Kakiri, Kawempe, Matugga, Bombo, Namugongo, Magigye, Gayaza, Manyangwa, Nakwero, Namulonge and neighbouring communities.

UEDCL Area Engineer Peter Mwondha said the company had dropped the original design, an underground copper cable, in favour of an overhead power line. He said the change would improve security, simplify maintenance and reduce disruptions caused by cable theft and vandalism.

“Our teams have already erected 17 pole structures and are currently stringing the lines. Completion is expected this weekend. Once finalised, power reliability will significantly improve for more than 4,000 customers in Kakiri, Kawempe and Namulonge,” Mwondha said.

Along the Hoima Road corridor, UEDCL says rapid residential and industrial growth in Wakiso and Nansana has put additional pressure on the distribution network. The company says a contractor is mobilising to build a second power line from Kakiri Substation, where an additional transformer has already been installed.

Kakiri Substation has been expanded before. In October 2025, the government said UEDCL had expanded the Kakiri substation from 10MW to 20MW after taking over national power distribution. UEDCL assumed national electricity distribution operations in April 2025, following the exit of Umeme.

The upgrades come six months after a leadership change at the utility. Eng Rwakakooko was named acting Managing Director effective May 2, 2026, replacing Paul Mwesigwa. Energy Minister Dr Ruth Nankabirwa had announced that Mwesigwa was sent on forced leave to allow for a comprehensive review of the company’s management and operations. Before her appointment, Eng Rwakakooko served as UEDCL’s Chief Commercial and Operations Officer.

Frequent outages force many businesses to rely on backup generators, which raises their operating costs. UEDCL says the ongoing and planned projects are intended to strengthen the distribution network and keep pace with rising demand across Greater Kampala and Wakiso District.

The utility has urged residents to keep away from active construction sites. It has also asked them to report vandalism or theft of electricity infrastructure to UEDCL, local authorities or the nearest police station.