By Joseph Kiggundu
KASESE.The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has started a Shs16 billion project to upgrade the Nkenda–Ishaka electricity distribution line.
This project aims at reducing frequent power outages affecting consumers in Kasese, Rubirizi and Bushenyi districts.
The project will involve refurbishing two 33kV distribution feeders Nkenda–Kasese and Nkenda–Ishaka which have experienced repeated outages since 2022, disrupting electricity supply in the three districts.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Kasese, Resident District Commissioner Lt. Joe Walusimbi said the investment would improve electricity reliability and support economic activity in the region.
“This intervention is timely and we are positive that it will greatly improve electricity reliability for our communities and support economic activities in the region. I pledge to work with UEDCL to ensure that this critical infrastructure is protected from vandalism,” Walusimbi said.
He urged residents to support efforts to protect electricity infrastructure, saying vandalism undermines access to reliable power.
UEDCL project manager Johnson Okochi said the Nkenda–Ishaka line was identified in 2022 among the company’s worst-performing distribution lines, recording more than 500 hours of outages annually.
Okochi attributed the disruptions to factors including bush burning activities, especially within Queen Elizabeth National Park, which have contributed to the deterioration of wooden poles supporting the network.
He added that the commissioning of Kyambura, Lubilia, and Nyamagasani I & II small hydropower plants, with a combined installed capacity of 34 megawatts, had increased pressure on the existing distribution infrastructure due to limited conductor capacity.
“To improve the reliability of both Nkenda–Kasese and Nkenda Ishaka feeders, we will replace deteriorated wooden pole infrastructure and reinforce critical sections of the network to accommodate the growing electricity generation from Independent Power Producers,” Okochi said.
Under the project, UEDCL will upgrade more than 100 kilometres of conductors, replace over 1,000 wooden poles with concrete poles, and install auto-reclosers and motorised air-break switches.
The company said the improvements will increase power evacuation capacity, reduce technical losses, improve network reliability and enhance the quality of electricity supply.
“Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce power outages and unplanned power failures on both the Nkenda–Ishaka and Nkenda–Kasese 33kV feeders. The upgraded network will also enable the efficient evacuation of electricity generated by hydropower plants within the Rwenzori region,” Okochi said.
UEDCL’s Territory Manager for the Rwenzori Region, Marion Ninsiima, said customers in the affected districts would experience improved service reliability once the project is completed.
“The upgraded infrastructure will improve switching operations and stability of the network. Our customers should expect fewer interruptions, improved voltage stability and more reliable power supply,” Ninsiima said.
However, she warned that planned outages would be necessary during the eight-month implementation period.
Ninsiima said customers may experience temporary interruptions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as the company carries out the works.
“Unfortunately, during the repair period, there may be intermittent supply as a result. We appeal to our customers to bear with us during this period for a great and better service delivery at the end of the day,” she said.
The Nkenda–Ishaka capacity and reliability improvement project is part of UEDCL’s wider investment in electricity distribution infrastructure aimed at improving the quality and reliability of power supply across its service areas.