05-03-09 Construction of a power transmission line with a capacity of 220,000 Volts has been commissioned. The Sh 114 bn line, which is to transmit power from Bujagali Dam in Jinja to the national grid is the first of its kind, Eriasi Kiyemba, the managing director of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company, said. He said the capacity of the line was bigger than that of other sub-stations put together.
Uganda has 12 sub-stations with a capacity of 132 kV, he said. The sub-station, which is to sit on 14 acres of land at Kawanda in Wakiso district, is expected to be completed next year. The line will pass through Mabira Forest in Mukono district via Kitetikka in Gayaza to Kawanda.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Kiyemba said the line would increase the transmission capacity and improve reliability of power.
"Energy is crucial for the country's development. But we have not been able to generate enough power since 2005. That is why the Government is aggressive in constructing more dams and power lines," he added. The African Development Bank and the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation are funding the project. A total of Sh 34 bn was used to compensate the 2,682 households affected by the construction.

Kiyemba said the 250 MW capacity Bujagali Dam was two months ahead of schedule, adding that it will also start generating power next year. Statistics show that the country needs 400 MW of power a day. However, only 320 MW are generated, which causes regular load shedding.
"Once Bujagali and the Kawanda sub-station are complete, we shall see no more load shedding," Kiyemba said.

Pradip Das, the vice-president of the Jyoti Structures, the India-based company constructing the line, said the project would create 1,000 jobs.