On 6^th December, 2024, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) hosted its 2^nd End of Year staff engagement at Naguru Gardens in a bid to appreciate and recognize the company’s staff for their hard work and achievements over the year. The engagement brought together employees from all departments to team build and strengthen relationships and employee motivation.

This year’s engagement began at 9am with a series of team building activities aimed at fostering collaboration and enhancing communication, team work and trust among colleagues.

This event was not only for celebration but also a moment to recognize the collective accomplishments of UETCL over the year. During his speech, UETCL’s CEO, Joshua Karamagi, CFA, took the opportunity to reflect on the year’s successes and express gratitude to the staff for their continued hard work and dedication to ensuring UETCL implements its mandate of expanding, operating and maintaining the national transmission grid in their various capacities.

Mr. Karamagi also reflected on his 20 months in office highlighting the growth achieved during his tenure and emphasized his dedication to moving forward.

Awards of recognition were presented to three Employees of the Year, Outstanding Performers of each department and best performing departments. These recognitions served to highlight the efforts of those who went above and beyond to contribute to the company’s success.

As the event concluded, employees left with a renewed sense of pride and accomplishment. The CEO’s message of appreciation resonated with all attendees, reinforcing the company’s commitment to recognizing and valuing the contributions of its staff.

The President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the 400kV Karuma Interconnection Project (KIP) which will evacuate the 600 MW of energy produced by the Karuma Hydropower Plant in Northern Uganda to load centres including Lira and Olwiyo in Northern Uganda and Kawanda (Kampala) in Central Uganda.

The KIP is expected to improve on accessibility and stability of power supply to Northern Uganda by benefiting current and future electricity consumers in Central, Northern and West Nile regions including residential, commercial and industrial consumers.

” The commissioning of the Karuma Interconnection Project is an achievement and milestone that will significantly boost Uganda’s electricity supply, support industrial growth, improve livelihoods, and drive the Nation’s Economic Development” Said Hon Canon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Energy and Mineral development.

The 1.7-billion-dollar project was financed by the Government of Uganda and the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China. This Transmission line infrastructure and associated Sub stations comprises of the following installations:

• 248km Karuma-Kawanda 400kV transmission line and associated substations
• 76km Karuma-Lira 132kV transmission line and associated substations.
• 55km Karuma-Olwiyo 400kV transmission line and associated substations.
• Extension of the 132kV busbar at the Lira 132/33kV substation.

“This project symbolizes enhanced collaboration, innovation, and ‘s UETCLs commitment to meeting Uganda’s energy needs and growing demand” according to Joshua Karamagi; CFA, the UETCL`s Chief Executive Officer. UETCL has continued to implement strategic projects and expand the transmission grid network in line with the Government of Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Energy Policy 2023.

as of September 2024, UETCL’s total grid length stands at 4,962.4 km with a total of 42 substations across the country and a transformation capacity of 6,945.5 MVA.

UETCL is a public Limited Company, fully owned by the Government of the Republic of Uganda, and holds the following operational licences. System Operator, Operation of the High Voltage Transmission Grid, Bulk Power Supply, Import and Export of Power and; Public Infrastructure Provider (for ownership and operation of the Optic Fibre).

H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda has commissioned the 132kV Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission line which will connect the West Nile region to the national transmission grid.

“Previously, the West Nile region experienced poor quality power supply and frequent outages because the available supply could not meet the demand. The line that was commissioned will increase the supply to the region.” Said Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa – Minister of Energy and Mineral Development.

This project will not only connect West Nile to the grid but it will also reinforce supply to the entire region coupled with the evacuation of electricity from the Karuma, Agago/Achwa, Nyagak I and Nyagak III hydropower plants to meet the region’s unserved demand and enable an environment for investment and industrialisation. This will in turn greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.

“As of July 2024, UETCL’s total grid length stood at 4,962.4 km with a total of 42 substations and a transformation capacity of 6,945.5 MVA which includes the 132/33kV Kole – Gulu – Nebbi – Arua transmission line and associated substations.” Said Mr Kwame Ejalu, the UETCL Board chairperson.

The World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), financed the construction of the transmission line infrastructure through a loan of USD 100 million while the Government of Uganda funded the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) at the cost of 31.3 billion Uganda Shillings.

The design, supply and installation of the 132kV Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission line was implemented by KEC International Limited while the design, supply and installation of the 132kV Kole Switching Station and 132kV Gulu Substations with associated 33kV Interconnection Lines was implemented by the Joint Venture of AVIC International Holding Corporation and Central Southern China Electric Power Design Institute Co. Ltd (China).

UETCL as an implementing government company is committed to being the backbone of Uganda’s development.  With the continued support of the Government of Uganda and development partners, the company will make great strides towards fulfilling the goals of Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III.

UETCL is responsible for the bulk purchase of electricity from power generators and the bulk sale of electricity to power distributors through high-voltage transmission lines. The company operates the High Voltage Transmission Grid (HVTG) above 33kV including the load dispatch system at the National Control Centre at lugogo.