Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) is a parastatal company whose primary purpose is to make bulk electricity purchases and transmit the electricity along high voltage wires to local and foreign distribution points.[2] UETCL is the sole authorized national bulk energy purchaser and the sole authorized electricity importer and exporter in Uganda.[3][4]

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL)
TypeParastatal
IndustryPower transmission
FoundedApril 1, 2001 (2001-04-01)
Headquarters10 Hannington Road
Kampala, Uganda.
Key people
Kwame Ejalu
Chairman
Michael Taremwa Kananura
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
Richard Matsiko
Deputy Managing Director & Deputy CEO[1]
ProductsElectricity
Number of employees
424 (2015)
WebsiteHomepage

Location

The headquarters of UETCL are at 10 Hannington Road[5] on Nakasero Hill in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The coordinates of the company headquarters are 0°19'13.0"N 32°35'12.5"E (Latitude:0.320278; Longitude:32.586806).[6]

History

The company was established in 2001 by an act of the Ugandan parliament following the break-up of the defunct Uganda Electricity Board.[3] UETCL began operations on 1 April 2001.[4]

Operations

UETCL is responsible for the development,[7] operations, maintenance, and improvement of the high-voltage power transmission lines, above 33kV, in Uganda. It also owns and operates the high-voltage substations (above 33kV), around the country.[8] UETCL is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and is regulated by the Ugandan Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development.[4]

Power loss reduction

To reduce electricity transmission losses in the country, UETCL has borrowed US$100 million (UGX:337 billion) from Exim Bank of China to construct four mega substations. The installations will feed the industrial parks at Luzira, Namanve, Mukono, and Iganga. The work also involves construction of 38 kilometres (24 mi) of 132 kilovolt transmission lines. The work was expected to be complete in 2019.[9]

Controversy

In March 2022, the company chairman at that time, Peter Ucanda resigned, citing bad Ugandan media coverage of him personally and of the company.[10] About one month later, the parent Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development fired the entire seven-person board, save for one member, the company secretary. Reasons cited for the dismissals include alleged "fraud and abuse of office at the company". A new board of directors has been appointed but had not been sworn in yet as of 29 April 2022.[11]

New board members

In June 2022, Ruth Nankabirwa, the incumbent Minister of Energy and Minerals, introduced and swore in a new board of directors for the company. The new board members are: 1. Kwame Ejalu: Chairman 2. Sharon Achiro 3. Innocent Oboko Yotkum 4. Sylvia Muheebwa Nabatanzi 5. Cecilia Nakiranda 6. Julius Mukooli and 7. Michael Taremwa Kananura: Acting Managing Director/CEO.[1][12]

See also

References
  1. Benon Ojiambo (11 August 2022). "UETCL top management sacked". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  2. Odyek, John (20 March 2018). "UETCL asked to speed up power transmission projects". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  3. NRFB (February 2015). "Investing in the electricity sector in Uganda: Ten things to know". Nortonrosefulbright.com (NRFB). Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  4. UETCL (8 July 2018). "About Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited". Kampala: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  5. UETCL (24 December 2015). "Contact Address of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited". Kampala: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  6. Google (19 August 2015). "Location of the Headquarters of UETCL, Kapala, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  7. Kasita, Ibrahim (31 October 2013). "France gives $23m for Fort Portal, Hoima power". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  8. Agaba, John (24 October 2013). "Uganda gets €21m loan from German bank for electricity". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  9. Kato, Joseph (5 June 2016). "UETCL to build Shs300b power sub-stations". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  10. Tobbias Jolly Owiny (29 March 2022). "UETCL board chair resigns amid alleged rot at firm". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  11. Tobbias Jolly Owiny (24 April 2022). "Media revelation see axe fall on UETCL board". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  12. Maurice Muhoozi (9 June 2022). "Ray of hope as Minister Nankabirwa inaugurates new UETCL board". Watchdog Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

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