Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has commissioned new integration lines at the Maya Substation in a strategic move to strengthen electricity supply and eliminate persistent load-shedding across key residential and industrial areas in central Uganda.

The emergency project, valued at $63,133, was implemented in partnership with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) to improve network reliability and create a more resilient power distribution system for communities west of Kampala.

The newly commissioned infrastructure links the 220kV/132kV/33kV Maya Substation to distribution networks serving Mutundwe and neighbouring areas that had for long relied on overloaded power feeders stretching through Busega, Nakawuka, Budo, and industrial zones on Masaka and Mityana roads.

According to UEDCL, the first phase of the project redirects and stabilises electricity supply to Mutundwe and Mitala Maria, significantly reducing pressure on a network that had become increasingly prone to faults and peak-hour overloads.

Mr Samson Tondo, the head of Regional Engineering Services for UEDCL’s Central Service Territory, said customers connected to the Mutundwe network had endured frequent and predictable evening power outages.

He added that the newly commissioned integration lines would improve electricity reliability for thousands of customers.

“We want to assure our customers that with immediate effect, they should experience a much more reliable power supply,” Mr Tondo said.

He added that the project is expected to bring an end to recurring load shedding in the affected areas.

“We do not expect any more load shedding because of this project,” he said.

The completed works include the construction of 1,830 metres of overhead power line using 150sqmm AAAC conductors and the installation of a 33kV air-break switch connecting feeder routes between Mutundwe and Mitala Maria. The new configuration enables engineers to quickly isolate faults and switch electricity between feeders, limiting the extent and duration of outages.

UEDCL officials said the project is already fully operational and currently utilises only about 20 per cent of its installed capacity, leaving ample room to support future residential developments and expanding industrial demand.