Kampala’s electricity supply has received a major boost following the completion of an upgrade of the Kampala South Substation, with capacity increased from 20 megawatts to 34 megawatts, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has announced.
The upgrade, part of UEDCL’s ongoing system optimisation and grid enhancement programme, is aimed at easing pressure on the power network along Entebbe Road and surrounding areas, where demand had already exceeded installed capacity. 
The works involved the installation and commissioning of a new 10/14MVA, 33/11kV transformer, bringing much-needed relief to a substation that had been operating beyond its limits. At peak, demand had risen to 20.45 megawatts, surpassing the capacity of the original 15/20 megawatt transformer.
According to UEDCL, the upgrade resolves three critical challenges: capacity strain at the substation, over-reliance on a single transformer, and operational rigidity that saw six major feeders—Salama, Najjanankumbi, Kigo, Makindye, Kisuubi and Kabowa—depend on a closed bus coupler.
As a result, more than 650 commercial consumers and about 108,000 domestic customers supplied by the substation are expected to enjoy more stable and reliable electricity.
UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa said the upgrade introduces redundancy and flexibility into the system, significantly reducing the risk of outages.
“We will see improved supply reliability and the introduction of transformer redundancy in the event of failure or maintenance of either transformer,” Mwesigwa said.
“The Salama and Najjanankumbi feeders are now loaded on the newly installed transformer, creating better load distribution and operational flexibility. I can declare with authority that the substation can handle both current and future demand because the risk of substation overload has now been eliminated.”
The Kampala South upgrade is part of a wider national effort by UEDCL to strengthen electricity infrastructure since it assumed its new distribution mandate. 
In the first eight months alone, the company has upgraded several substations across the country, including Kakiri (from 14MVA to 28MVA), Kabale (2.5MVA to 5MVA), Masaka (5MVA to 7MVA), Kumi (1.5MVA to 2.5MVA) and Mubende (2.5MVA to 5MVA).
To cater for rising urban demand, UEDCL has also acquired land within Kampala to construct two new substations, as well as another in Magigye along Zirobwe Road.
Further downstream upgrades are planned for key feeders, including Mutundwe–Mityana, Mutundwe–Nakawuka and Budo, and the Waligo–Namugongo interconnection.
UEDCL says once these works are completed, Kampala will be assured of a steady and reliable power supply by 2026.
Mwesigwa also used the opportunity to thank electricity users who responded to UEDCL’s nationwide “Weterezeeee” campaign, which encouraged customers to regularise their connections.
“Over 32,461 Ugandans have responded, and all of them will receive electricity connections under the Government of Uganda free connections programme,” he said.
However, he raised concern over increasing vandalism of electricity infrastructure, noting that more than 330 vandalism incidents have been reported since April 1, 2025.
“Given the rise in vandalism nationwide, we implore countrymen to remain vigilant about the electricity grid. Reliability has been affected in all these incidents,” Mwesigwa warned.
With demand continuing to grow, UEDCL says the Kampala South upgrade marks a key step in future-proofing the capital’s power supply and supporting economic activity along one of its busiest corridors.
