Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Managing Director Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo has explained the major reasons behind persistent electricity outages across the country, pointing to ageing infrastructure, overloaded substations and rapidly growing demand. She acknowledged that frequent power interruptions have affected households, businesses and industries, disrupting daily activities and causing financial losses. However, she said the company has embarked on several infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving electricity reliability and reducing the frequency of outages.
According to Rwabwogo, Uganda’s electricity customer base has increased from approximately 1.64 million in 2021 to 2.78 million, representing growth of nearly 70 per cent in five years. While the increase reflects expanding access to electricity, she explained that investments in the distribution network have not kept pace with the growing number of consumers. This has placed enormous pressure on existing infrastructure, leaving some installations struggling to meet the country’s rising electricity demand.
The UEDCL boss revealed that approximately 40 per cent of switching equipment in substations has been in operation for more than 25 years, with some components becoming difficult to maintain because replacement parts are no longer readily available. She also disclosed that electricity demand has grown by approximately 60 per cent in four years. The situation is particularly concerning at Mutundwe and Busunju substations, which are operating at 130 per cent and 124 per cent of their rated capacities, respectively, increasing the risk of equipment failures and prolonged power interruptions.
To address the problem, UEDCL has intensified efforts to replace faulty transformers and strengthen vulnerable sections of the electricity distribution network. Rwabwogo said the company replaced 1,110 distribution transformers in the year ending July 2026, surpassing its target. The availability of transformer materials in company stores has also improved from 44 per cent to 50 per cent, a development expected to reduce delays in restoring electricity when equipment breaks down and leaves communities without power.
Several targeted interventions have also been implemented in areas experiencing persistent electricity challenges. In Entebbe, sections of overloaded power lines have been upgraded, while an alternative supply route introduced in Mukono is expected to improve voltage stability. In Mubende, network improvements helped reduce recorded outages from 12 in one month to three in the following month, alongside the installation of an additional transformer. Meanwhile, the Kasana substation along the Bombo corridor has been commissioned to provide another electricity supply source and ease pressure on existing infrastructure.
Bigger infrastructure projects are also being pursued to improve electricity distribution capacity in heavily loaded areas. At Mutundwe, planned upgrades are expected to reduce the substation’s loading from 130 per cent to approximately 65 per cent, while the newly completed Maya substation awaits connection to surrounding distribution networks. In western Uganda, work is underway to integrate the Mirama Hills substation into the distribution system, with the project expected to improve electricity supply to more than 30,000 households and 700 commercial customers in Isingiro, Ntungamo, Rukungiri and parts of Rwampara. The improvements are also expected to support an iron-processing factory in Ntungamo that requires approximately seven megawatts of electricity.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, Rwabwogo said UEDCL is working to strengthen its operational efficiency, improve fault detection and deploy technical teams more effectively. She acknowledged that customers need timely information whenever electricity supply is interrupted and pledged better communication during outages. The company is also addressing electricity losses, which stood at approximately 17.9 per cent, down from 18.5 per cent at the time of transition. Additionally, 372 field staff have been reassigned to strengthen inspections, tackle illegal connections and improve accountability across the distribution network.
Despite the ongoing interventions, the UEDCL managing director acknowledged that explanations about ageing equipment and infrastructure challenges offer little comfort to customers who spend hours without electricity. She said the company’s responsibility goes beyond explaining the causes of outages to delivering lasting solutions that Ugandans can experience in their homes and businesses. With electricity demand continuing to rise, UEDCL says cooperation with the government and other electricity sector stakeholders will be crucial in accelerating network upgrades and building a more reliable distribution system capable of supporting Uganda’s economic growth.
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