The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, in collaboration with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project today.
The event took place at the Buloba Substation, marking the beginning of a crucial infrastructure project aimed at addressing the increasing power demand in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, presided over the ceremony and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving electricity access and reliability.
“Our objective for today is to disseminate information about what the government is doing to improve service delivery and address the challenges of stability and reliability of power,” she said.
The Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project, funded through a JPY 13 billion loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will increase the power transmission capacity in the area.
The project is expected to run for two years, with an additional two-year Defects Liability Period (DLP) to ensure that the infrastructure is in top condition.
Mr. Kwame Ejalu, Board Chairperson of UETCL, emphasised the need for this project, citing Kampala’s increasing electricity demand.
“The population of Kampala is projected to grow by at least 57.8 percent in the next 10 years, which will put more pressure on utility services like electricity. This project will help us address that growing demand,” he noted.
The project involves the construction of new substations at Buloba and Mukono, as well as upgrades to the existing substations in Kawaala, Bujagali, and Mutundwe. Upon completion, the transmission grid in Kampala will increase by 62 kilometres, adding 1,320 megawatts of capacity.
UETCL’s CEO, Mr. Joshua Karamagi, pointed out the strategic importance of the project. “This project will support the growing electricity demand in Kampala, which has been experiencing intermittent power blackouts due to increased consumption. It is part of our mandate to ensure that power transmission infrastructure keeps pace with national development.”
In her address, Hon. Nankabirwa also highlighted Uganda’s broader goals for energy development. “We want to improve electricity access for Ugandans from 60% to at least 100% by 2030,” she stated, encouraging Ugandans to invest in solar energy as part of the government’s tax exemptions on solar panels.
The project comes at a critical time, with Kampala’s transformation into a regional economic hub driving demand for both power and road infrastructure.
“Thanks to the peace and stability ushered in by the NRM government, we are seeing growth and demand for both road and electric infrastructure across the country,” the Minister remarked.
While at the function, UETCL reaffirmed its commitment to timely delivery. Mr. Karamagi assured stakeholders that UETCL would work closely with local leaders and affected communities to ensure smooth implementation.
The Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project is set to play a significant role in supporting Uganda’s economic growth and enhancing the stability and reliability of electricity supply.
