The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Canon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu has officially flagged of construction of the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project at Bulooba, in Mpigi District.

“Currently, the rapid demand growth in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) has had a toll on the equipment and assets of the already existing substations and transmission lines in GKMA. There is therefore uncertainty that there will be overloading in the near future. This is because of the load of all substations in GKMA has almost reached its maximum capacity causing some incidents of power unreliability” Said Kwame Ejalu- UETCL board Chairman.

The existing 132kV ring system is expected to lack enough capacity for transmission of the power required within the medium term (10 to 15 years) according to the sharp growth of the power demand both domestically and industrially. According to the Grid Development Plan, the development of the GKMA transmission network has put as a high priority.

The project is being constructed by EPC, The Joint Venture of Yachiyo Engineering Company Ltd and Tokyo Electric Power Services Company Ltd with funding from JICA and the Government of Uganda is expected to have major components that will include new Sub stations in Mukono, Buloba Substation in Bulooba aimed at reinforcing power supply in the areas of Mutundwe-Buloba, Bulaba-Kabulasoke and surrounding areas.

It will also cause upgrading of Mutundwe Substation. This will serve the areas of Mutundwe-Buloba, Mutundwe-Kawaala and their environs, the upgrade of Kawaala Substation targeting the areas of Kawaala- Mutudwe, -Kampala North and Bujagali Substation.

The project will also have a component of reconductoring of the currently existing 132 kV lines around the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area.

“This Greater Kampala Metropolitan Project will be a game changer in the transmission of Reliable Quality Bulk power to the central Business district of Kampala and its environs” Said Joshua Karamagi; CFA the UETCL CEO.

UETCL as the 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.

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.

There is no doubt that sports in general has played a very key role in uniting and bringing together communities with diverse interests and aspirations. The Ugandan Corporate arena has not been spared by the huge influence that has been created by this different games especially football among others.

The Ugandan corporate class has for long been in the lookout for corporate events that would bring together different players among the corporates as a way to not only enhance healthy living but also be able to provide a unique opportunity for corporate companies to participate in purpose-built corporate sports programmes that will run throughout the year.

This informed the return of UETCL into Corporate Sports activities in 2024 being a company that pays key attention to the social wellbeing of it`s employees. The birth of the Corporate Sports Network, the organizers of fresh monthly sports outings brings together over 30 companies taking part and participating in games like football, volley ball, pool, swimming among others. The company`s participation in the games has had a leverage in team building, branding, free exhibitions, marketing and publicity opportunities.

UETCL`S team dubbed the “Mega Watts” made a unique return in the 2<sup>nd</sup> outing of the electrifying games that took place in April 2024 at the Maroons Play ground in Luzira where they exhibited spectacular skills and professional football in it`s encounter with other corporates.

The company would later return to the just concluded 3^rd Edition for the 2024 season in May 2024 played at MUBS Nakawa campus with the main objective of promoting productive corporate networks by bringing it`s employees together and creating an enabling environment for them to network with staff of other member companies participating in various sports activities in the league every month.

The Games that run for nine months will be concluded by a Grand Dinner and awards ceremony in December 2024.

UETCL recognizes the importance of diversity among its staff. In celebration of this diversity, the company hosted Muslim staff for Iftar at Protea Hotel – Naguru Skyz.

Before breaking their fast, the attendees were addressed by Sheikh Jafaar Drapali who re-emphasized the importance of Ramadan and shared encouraging messages reminding staff to stay the course and stay engaged in their devotion to Allah.

The UETCL CEO, Joshua Karamagi, CFA, spoke thereafter thanking staff for honouring the invitation stating that, “Diversity is UETCL’s strength and such social gatherings are essential in building a strong organizational culture as we come together as colleagues.”

The evening closed with Maghrib prayers followed by Iftar and staff were able to leave at leisure.