The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has said Kabale district’s electricity network still requires significant investment if it is to meet the reliability standards expected by consumers.
According to ERA compliance engineer George Guma, although progress has been made in improving power stability in the area, the gap between the current performance and the authority’s target remains substantial.
Guma made the remarks during an engagement between ERA officials and electricity users in Kabale District, where the regulator discussed the state of power supply in the district and the ongoing efforts to strengthen the distribution network.
He explained that one of the major improvements followed the rehabilitation of Kabale’s main substation, where a 2.5 megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer that had served the area for several years was replaced with a modern 5 MVA unit.
The replacement was carried out in April 2025 after electricity distribution responsibilities in the area were transferred from Umeme Limited to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited.
According to Guma, the upgrade has significantly improved power supply reliability in the district.
“The Electricity Regulatory Authority’s ambition is to bring the figure up to at least 98 percent, which is the benchmark for a stable, quality supply,” he said.
He noted that the transformer upgrade has already raised the district’s reliability levels to about 88 percent, a major improvement from the previously low levels experienced by consumers.
However, Guma cautioned that the installation of a single transformer alone cannot fully solve the district’s power reliability challenges.
He emphasized the need for a broader and coordinated investment programme that includes expanding electricity lines, strengthening load management systems, and ensuring continuous maintenance of the network.
Such investments, he said, are necessary to prevent outages and voltage fluctuations that still affect households, businesses, and institutions in Kabale and surrounding areas.
ERA officials also told stakeholders that continued infrastructure development remains critical as electricity demand grows across the region, particularly in urban centers and trading areas.
The authority said improving distribution infrastructure will be key to ensuring that electricity consumers in Kabale receive a stable and reliable supply capable of supporting economic activity and improving service delivery in the district.