The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has clarified the recent power outages affecting several regions, explaining the underlying causes and highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve the issues.
While power supply across the nation was largely consistent in 2024, an increasing demand for electricity has caused certain substations to become overwhelmed, triggering the need for critical upgrades to the country’s transmission and distribution infrastructure, the ministry said in a statement.
"We are actively working with our partners to conduct essential maintenance and enhance the overall efficiency of the power network to meet the rising demand," reads the statement
The power disruptions have been attributed to several factors, including the failure of key equipment at vital installations, which has led to interruptions in service. Additionally, some parts of the electricity grid are struggling with the growing load due to limited capacity, exacerbating the situation.
The Ministry also pointed out that vandalism and theft, particularly along the Kawanda to Masaka Transmission Line, have significantly affected power delivery in these regions. According to the ministry, incidents of bush burning in areas like Kiryandongo and Karuma have caused additional damage to critical transmission lines, increasing the frequency of power interruptions.
To address these concerns, MEMD is focusing on urgent maintenance and network upgrades. Financial resources have been allocated to ensure these improvements are made swiftly, with the goal of stabilising power supply and reducing disruptions. The Ministry has also called on Ugandans to refrain from activities such as vandalism and bush burning, which endanger the national power grid.
“We are grateful for the patience of our customers and urge all citizens to help preserve the integrity of our power infrastructure,” the Ministry added.
