KAMPALA, Uganda — Hon. Bright Tom Amooti, the Member of Parliament for Kyaka Central County in Kyegegwa District, was among legislators whose parliamentary oversight took place amid growing concerns over unreliable electricity supply across Uganda.
A report by Parliament’s Committee on Environment and Natural Resources revealed that ageing electricity infrastructure, overloaded substations and weak distribution systems had contributed to persistent power interruptions in different parts of the country.
The committee found that 47 per cent of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s (UEDCL) power transformers were more than 30 years old, while 74 per cent of distribution transformers had poor or no protection.
The report also identified 12 substations operating above 80 per cent of their loading capacity, raising concerns about their ability to maintain a stable electricity supply when equipment failed or was taken out for maintenance.
In Kampala Metropolitan Area, the committee raised concerns about heavy loading and frequent faults along the Owen Falls-Mukono North corridor. It also identified weaknesses along the Kawanda-Kasana-Kapeeka corridor, which operated as a single radial circuit without an alternative supply route.
The committee further pointed to the need for improvements at Mutundwe and Kawanda substations, where additional transformers and other network upgrades had been proposed to reduce pressure on the electricity system.
It observed that overgrown vegetation coming into contact with electricity lines had been the most common single cause of faults, further exposing weaknesses in the distribution network.
The committee recommended that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, UETCL and UEDCL prepare a time-bound plan to address the affected substations and strengthen the network.
The findings placed renewed attention on the need for sustained investment in electricity infrastructure to improve reliability for households, businesses and public institutions across Uganda.
