By Wakibi Iddi
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has commissioned two projects worth more than Shs 240 million in Butebo District to improve power supply reliability and support growing economic activity.
The projects, commissioned by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during a thanksgiving ceremony held in Petete in honour of Energy Minister Dr Monica Musenero, are expected to benefit households, businesses, educational institutions and public offices by expanding electricity access and increasing distribution capacity.
One of the projects involved extending the electricity distribution network to Petete Primary School, which had been fully wired but remained without a connection to the national grid. The extension also connected Petete Church, surrounding households and Petete Town Council offices.
UEDCL installed a new transformer as part of the project to improve the reliability and capacity of electricity supplied to the area.
The second intervention targeted a mini-industrial park under construction in Kabarekere Village, near St Paul High School, where UEDCL installed a 100kVA transformer to meet the site’s growing electricity needs.
Before the intervention, the area relied on a distant 25kVA single-phase transformer located about 600 metres away. The existing infrastructure was considered inadequate for the industrial park, whose projected electricity demand is estimated at 48kW.
UEDCL Managing Director Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo said the new transformer will provide the capacity required for the growing load.
“With growing commercial activity and agro-processing in the area, we anticipate increased electricity demand. We have therefore installed a new 100kVA transformer to provide the capacity needed,” Rwabwogo said.
Rwabwogo said UEDCL has embarked on a nationwide stakeholder engagement initiative to work more closely with local leaders, understand customer concerns, address service delivery challenges and gather feedback from customers.
Acknowledging the challenges associated with power outages, she said the company was implementing immediate and long-term infrastructure improvements to address network constraints and respond to rising electricity demand.
“These interventions reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the electricity distribution network, improving reliability and delivering better quality power to customers across the country,” she said.
The Butebo projects come as demand for electricity rises alongside commercial and industrial activity. The additional distribution capacity is expected to support the mini-industrial park, strengthen agro-processing and improve access to reliable electricity for households and public institutions.