Mbarara–Nkenda High Voltage Power Line
The Mbarara–Nkenda High Voltage Power Line is a 132 kV AC transmission line in Uganda’s Western Region. It connects the Mbarara 132 kV substation to Nkenda, spanning about 160 km (99 miles) with two circuits. The route runs from Mbarara west to Ishaka, then generally north through Rubirizi, Kikorongo and Kasese to Nkenda.
The line was built to improve power delivery and reliability in Western Uganda and to integrate power from several small hydro projects in the Rwenzori area into the national grid. Construction began in 2014 and was completed in February 2019, after delays due to land acquisition. The project includes a 132/33 kV substation at Mbarara.
Ownership and funding: It is owned by the Government of Uganda and operated by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). It was funded by a loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) and a US$34 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The line also helps tap power from about 5–6 small hydro projects in the Rwenzori region.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:05 (CET).