Business 25 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda-Tanzania Power Link Poised for Construction in 2026/27 Financial Year
The 220kV Uganda-Tanzania Interconnection Project, a vital link for regional electricity trade, is advancing with procurement and contractor mobilization. Civil works are anticipated to commence in the 2026/27 financial year, with commercial operations targeted for 2029. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/uganda-tanzania-power-interconnection-to-start-5508436
The crucial 298-kilometer Masaka–Mwanza transmission line, designed to bolster regional electricity trade, is moving forward. The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) has confirmed that the project is currently in its procurement and contractor mobilization phase.
Preparatory activities are being finalized, including early market engagement with potential contractors for the construction of the high-voltage line. UETCL is also completing the Resettlement Action Plan to compensate individuals affected by the project, a necessary step before construction can begin. Civil works and transmission line construction are projected to start during the 2026/27 financial year, with the anticipation of commercial operations by 2029.
This interconnection is strategically important, creating a vital link in the high-voltage transmission backbone around Lake Victoria. It is expected to enhance cross-border power trade, improve energy security, and support industrial development across East Africa. The project will also facilitate access to diverse regional energy resources and potentially reduce system losses and operational costs through coordinated power exchanges.
Technically, the 220kV double-circuit line will feature lattice steel towers and advanced components like composite insulators and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) technology. The project includes upgrades to substations in Masaka and Mwanza, with financing expected from a blend of multilateral development institutions and counterpart funding from both governments.
This initiative addresses a significant infrastructure bottleneck in East Africa’s regional electricity market, paving the way for increased power exchange between Uganda and Tanzania, and potentially integrating with other regional power pools.