KAMPALA — Hon. Tom Bright Amooti, Member of Parliament for Kyaka Central County in Kyegegwa District, raised concerns about Uganda’s ageing electricity infrastructure while presenting his submission on the floor of Parliament, drawing attention to persistent power interruptions affecting different parts of the country.
The concerns formed part of the wider parliamentary examination of persistent electricity outages by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
According to the committee’s findings, 47 per cent of electricity distribution transformers managed by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) were more than 30 years old, raising concerns about their ability to meet the country’s growing electricity demand.
The report further established that 74 per cent of distribution transformers had poor or no protection, while 12 substations were operating above 80 per cent of their loading capacity.
Vegetation interference was identified as the most common single cause of faults on the distribution network, highlighting the need for improved maintenance and vegetation-management measures.
In Kampala, the report identified pressure on infrastructure around Mutundwe and Kawanda substations, alongside frequent faults along the Owen Falls-Mukono North corridor.
The Kawanda-Kasana-Kapeeka corridor was also identified as vulnerable because it depended on a single radial circuit without an alternative supply route.
Beyond Kampala, the committee raised concerns about ageing wooden transmission structures and conductors in western Uganda, recommending rehabilitation and upgrading of selected electricity infrastructure.
Among the proposed interventions was the rehabilitation of the Kabulasoke-Nkonge corridor and the upgrading of Nkonge substation from 10MVA to 20MVA.
The findings highlighted the need for sustained investment in electricity infrastructure to reduce outages, improve reliability and support households, businesses and industries across Uganda.
