The Managing Director Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Paul Mwesigwa, has revealed that the upgrade of the Kampala South Substation from 20 megawatts to 34 megawatts is set to improve electricity reliability for thousands of businesses and households along Entebbe road.
Mr Mwesigwa noted that the installation and commissioning of the 10/14MVA, 33/11kV transformer was part of UEDCL’s enhancement work to increase electricity reliability on Entebbe Road and to handle the growing demand that had reached 20.45 Megawatts.
“We will see improved supply reliability and the introduction of transformer redundancy in the event of failure or maintenance of either transformer/s” he said.
Mweisgwa revealed that the upgrade will address the capacity strain, where the total maximum demand on the initial transformer of 15/20 Megawatts has been 20.45 Megawatts, and all the six major feeders specifically, Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi and Kabowa were dependent on a closed bus coupler.
“The Salama and Najjanankumbi Feeders are currently loaded on the newly Installed transformer creating observable load distribution and operational flexibility. I can declare with authority that the substation can handle both the current and future demand because the risk of substation overload has now been eliminated” Mwesigwa said.
Other substations upgraded in the first eight months of UEDCL’s new mandate include 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).
According to Mwesigwa, in order to accommodate the increased demand, UEDCL has also obtained land in Kampala city to build two substations and another in Magigye along Zirobwe Road. “Downstream, a number of feeders around the city, including those between Mutundwe and Mityana, Mutundwe- Nakawuka and Budo, and Waligo- Namugongo interconnection, are currently being planned for upgrade” he said.
Mr Mwesigwa noted that once complete, the city will be guaranteed of steady power supply in 2026.
