Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development
Summary: “Ugandans inconveniences until all the systems have been fully upgraded, we cannot run away from this,” Nankabirwa remarked.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has stated that Ugandans will continue to face inconveniences in power supply as UEDCL is still in its transition period.
Speaking to journalists at the Government Media Center on Tuesday about the state of power supply in the country, Nankabirwa said there is continued growth in electricity demand, which has risen by 10 percent annualy.
She noted that this growth coincided with the Umeme concession transition period, which constrained capital investment in the distribution network due to the short capital mobilization and investment recovery window.
As a result, Nankabirwa explained that this created a period of reduced capital investment in the distribution network, affecting the reliability and quality of power supply.
She further noted that during Umeme’s period of operation, the regulator limited its investment because the government wanted to ensure an affordable buyout amount. UEDCL could also not invest in the network before the takeover, leading to the breakdown of some equipment in the power supply system.
After UEDCL assumed full responsibility for power distribution in the country following Umeme’s exit, Nankabirwa said, the company is now refurbishing systems and establishing new infrastructure to improve power reliability.
Among the upgrades made by the company is the expansion of the Kakiri substation, which was increased from 10MW to 20MW. The Kabale substation was also doubled from 2.5MW to 5MW due to increasing demand.
Other upgrades include the expansion of Masaka Central Substation from 5MW to 7MW to stabilize power supply and the replacement of 206 faulty transformers across the country.
She noted that all the upgrades to substations, transformer replacements, and system refurbishments will cause temporary inconvenience to people due to necessary power shutdowns.
“Ugandans will continue to experience consequential inconveniences until all the systems have been fully upgraded, we cannot run away from this,” Nankabirwa remarked.
According to Nankabirwa, some transformers and substations are too old, with some having been installed as far back as 1994, yet the areas they serve are now densely populated, which leads to system overloads.
She also said that the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) has secured funding to construct new substations in Kawempe to stabilize power at Kawempe Referral Hospital and the police, and a new Majigye Substation to manage power supply along Gayaza, Bugema, Nakwero, and surrounding areas.
However, the minister decried the continued vandalism of power lines in areas of Kololo, Mukono, Kayunga, Nakasongola, Luweero, Mbarara, among others.
According to Nankabirwa, 62 people have been arrested for vandalism over a four-month period. She said the law against vandalism was amended to introduce more stringent penalties to curb the vice.
She urged security heads and local leaders such as RDCs and the police to work with communities to stop the continued vandalism of power infrastructure.
Nankabirwa asked Ugandans to give UEDCL up to two years to complete the refurbishment of the power supply system before mocking the company on social media over its performance.
Paul Mwesigwa, the UEDCL Executive Director, said the company is set to install 518 new transformers after procuring 134 million dollars’ worth of materials and equipment to ensure reliable power supply is restored across the country.
There has been a public outcry over persistent power outages in many parts of the country since the Umeme concession ended. Many Ugandans have expressed concern that the new UEDCL management may not be equal to the task.
-URN
