By Moses Lokeris
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has blamed the frequent power outages and load shedding in North Karamoja on an overload on Opuyo–Moroto High Voltage Power Line.
The Opuyo–Moroto High Voltage Power Line connects the high voltage substation at Opuyo, a southern suburb of Soroti City in the Eastern Region to another high voltage substation at Moroto district.
North Karamoja, comprising of the four districts of Abim, Kotido, Kaabong and Karenga, has over the recent months face frequent power outages, sparking concern from the consumers of electricity.
Speaking to our reporter, in a rare show of concern, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, station manager for Kotido branch, Kenneth Masaba, said he feels the pain for electricity consumers in the district who endure rampant outages.
He pointed out that Teso and Karamoja Sub-regions like other regions in the country have witnessed increased demand of electricity due to paced urbanization and more homes and businesses connected to the Power Line.
The infrastructure left behind by UMEME the former country’s power distributor is inadequate to meet the current demand.
Masaba observed that the problem is compounded by faulty transmission lines and ongoing bush burning in the region and overgrown trees next to the electricity networks.
According to Masaba, since taking over electricity distribution from Umeme Limited last year, the company has suffered significant losses caused by bush fires deliberately set by communities during the dry season.
“Although faulty an overload on the regional station and transmission lines overload contribute to rampant power outages, bush burning and tree cutting are the main causes of blackouts in Kotido”, said Masaba.
Steps taken
Masaba revealed that UEDCL is spearheading community sensitization against bush burning, a practice the company says is increasingly destroying electricity infrastructure.
As part of the campaign dubbed “Anti-Bush Burning Campaign,” UEDCL is partnering with local and cultural leaders in the region to become ambassadors for safe electricity infrastructure.
He called on community members, supported by local leaders, to end bush burning, which has repeatedly destroyed infrastructure and cost taxpayers millions in repairs, maintenance, and replacement.
According to Masaba, while bush burning has practical and cultural roots, the problem arises when it is uncontrolled near human settlements, roads, and electricity lines, causing power outages, infrastructure damage, and safety hazards, which is exactly what UEDCL, is trying to prevent.
Although bush burning and destruction of electricity infrastructure attract heavy penalties under the amended Electricity Act of 2022, including fines of up to Shs1 billion or imprisonment of up to 15 years, Masaba emphasized that UEDCL prefers prevention through awareness.
“We have chosen to sensitise community much as we know that the law is also there to help us deal with people who might be found burning our infrastructure”, he said, assuring the public of their commitment to provide stable supply of power to the connected clients.
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