Uganda and South Sudan have moved closer to integrating their electricity networks following the technical launch of a major cross-border transmission project.
The project is backed by the African Development Bank Group, a development expected to expand regional electricity trade and improve power supply in one of East Africa’s least electrified countries.
The South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project (SUPIP), will establish approximately 299 kilometres of 400-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line between the neighbouring countries, alongside new and upgraded substations and supporting infrastructure.
Implemented by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), the project is designed to connect South Sudan to the Eastern Africa Power Pool, create a market for Uganda’s surplus electricity and strengthen the reliability and affordability of power supply across the border.
The launch marks an important implementation milestone following the fulfilment of conditions for the effectiveness and first disbursement of African Development Fund financing for Uganda, effective July 13, 2026, and the establishment of the project implementation team.
Representing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Pauline Bateebe, at the technical launch on Thursday, Commissioner for Electrical Power Eng. Cecilia Menya Nakiranda said the exercise was intended to establish a shared understanding of the African Development Bank’s implementation requirements.These include procurement, financial management, disbursement, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring, reporting and legal obligations.
Eng. Edward Ssekulima Baleke, a principal energy officer in the Ministry’s Electricity Supply Division, told Uganda Radio Network that the project would serve both countries’ electricity needs while strengthening regional integration.
He said the interconnection would improve the reliability and affordability of electricity in South Sudan while creating an export market for Uganda’s available generation capacity.
On the Ugandan side, the project will involve include150 kilometres of 400-kilovolt transmission line from Olwiyo substation to Bibia, near the South Sudan border. The works will also see construction of a new 400/132/33-kilovolt substation at Bibia, extension of the Karuma substation and upgrading of the Olwiyo substation.
Daniel Emmanuel Okello, UETCL’s head of grid development and planning, said Uganda and South Sudan would jointly procure the supervision consultant and the main engineering, procurement and construction contractors responsible for the transmission line and substations.
Beyond enabling electricity exports, the infrastructure is expected to strengthen transmission capacity in northern Uganda, improve utilisation of existing generation and create opportunities for further regional power exports.
Baba Fatajo, Chief Regional Power Systems Officer at the African Development Bank who manages regional infrastructure and power interconnection, explained that Uganda is receiving loan of 91.7 million units of account, (US$121 million), approximately Shs 473.51 billion alongside government counterpart financing.
“The financing provides a foundation for implementation, but the project must still navigate procurement, environmental and social safeguards, land acquisition and resettlement requirements,” Fatajo stated-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
