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).

The two-day Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) 31st Steering Committee and 19th Council of Ministers conference hosted at Serena Hotel Kampala has ended. Joshua Karamagi, CFA – UETCL, CEO and Chairperson of the EAPP Steering Committee chaired the Steering Committee meeting attended by CEOs of power trade companies of member countries.

During the two-day session, representatives from member states discussed market rules, intergovernmental agreements, and the operationalisation of regional electricity markets.

In his opening remarks the State Minister for Energy – Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot stated that “the creation of EAPP was an important response towards coordinating our individual countries’ efforts in seeking solutions to this rapidly growing need for energy services in the region.’

The Secretary General of the EAPP Eng. Eng. James K Wahogo in his remarks stated that ‘’EAPP region has achieved certain milestones over the years towards its objective of enhancing power system interconnectivity, cross border electricity trade and institutional capacity.’

Joshua Karamgi, CFA, stated, ’Several interconnection projects were under construction in our region in the past years, of which some are approaching completion, some are in the commissioning stage, and some already commissioned’

During the meeting of the 19^th Council of Ministers (COM) in Kampala, the following resolutions were made.

1. The implementation plan for the Operationalization of the Market and Trading Unit.
2. An amendment was proposed to the intergovernmental MOU (IGMOU) with final confirmation of the endorsements to be revisited and formally addressed at the next CoM meeting, following the completion of all required internal consultations by the member states.
3. The CoM formally approved the proposed by-laws and rules of procedure, recognizing them as essential for the structured and transparent governance of the EAPP among others.

It was resolved that the next meeting will be held in February 2025 at the closing ceremony presided over by the chairperson Council of Minister and Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu.

The EAPP is a regional institution established in 2005 to coordinate cross-border power trade and grid interconnection among nations of the Eastern Africa region. Member countries are Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Libya. South Sudan and Somalia as they promote equitable sharing of energy.

On 14^th June every year, the world commemorates the world donor day. This year, the day will be celebrated under the theme “Share life, Give blood”.

As a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) staff with support from Uganda Blood Transfusion Service, donated blood to increase supply to those in need. This was held on 12^th June 2024 at the UETCL Head offices on Hannington Road, Kampala and it`s Lugogo based offices.

According to the United Nations, Uganda collects 350,000 out of the 450,000 Units of blood that are needed to save life. In the recent past, the country has been faced with acute shortage of blood needed to save life especially for patients with life threatening health conditions, accident victims, cancer victims among others.

UETCL is committed to the Social wellbeing of it`s staff and the community at large in guarding our core values through team work by donating blood.

UETCL is an ISO certified Public limited company, owned by Government of Uganda that started operations in 2001. It holds the following operational licenses, System Operator, Operation of High Voltage Transmission Grid, Bulk power supply, Import and Export of power; and Public Infrastructure Provider (For ownership and operation of the optic Fibre).

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, UETCL hosted female staff on 7^th March 2024 at Protea Hotel – Naguru Skyz. The celebrations were held under the international theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion” and were facilitated by the guest of honour, UETCL Board Member, Sylvia Nabatanzi Muwebwa.

The celebrations kicked off with opening remarks from the Head Human Resource & Administration, Halima Namatovu, who thanked the attendees for honouring the invitation and coming together to celebrate womanhood.

She then invited the first speaker of the day, the Company Secretary, Stella Ladona Wattanga Aseru who encourages the ladies to look after themselves despite how much life demands of them at work and at home. She stated that she was hopeful that by the next women’s day celebrations, all the women in attendance will have embraced growth and opportunities both inside and outside UETCL.

Ms Sylvia Nabatanzi Muwebwa – the guest of honour spoke thereafter sharing encouraging messages and personal life lessons with the conclusion, “Men and women should be afforded the same opportunities. It is our responsibility as women to harness the opportunities given to us and open the door for the women behind us.”