UETCL, Gridworks sign landmark transmission deal to upgrade national grid
The upgrades are aimed at strengthening the reliability and capacity of the national grid to support Uganda’s growing electricity demand, driven by industrialisation, urbanisation, and increased access to power.
The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) has signed a Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) with Gridworks through its subsidiary, Amari, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s electricity sector reform agenda.
The agreement was signed by UETCL Chief Executive Officer Eng. Richard Matsiko and Gridworks Chief Executive Officer Christopher Flavin. The signing was witnessed by the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, representing the British High Commission in Uganda.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Eng. Matsiko described the partnership as a strategic and transformative step for the country’s power infrastructure.
“We view this partnership as strategic and transformative, and we look forward to the effective implementation and tangible improvements to the national grid,” Eng. Matsiko said.
Under the pilot project, the partnership will focus on upgrading critical transmission substations at Tororo, Mbarara North, Mbarara South, and Nkenda. The upgrades are aimed at strengthening the reliability and capacity of the national grid to support Uganda’s growing electricity demand, driven by industrialisation, urbanisation, and increased access to power.
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities during the construction phase, contributing to local economic activity in the affected regions.
Gridworks CEO Christopher Flavin welcomed the collaboration and commended the Government of Uganda for its role in advancing the project.
“We are particularly grateful for the leadership, foresight, and constructive engagement shown by the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to this stage,” Flavin said.
The TSA is firmly anchored in Uganda’s broader electricity sector reform programme. In 2023, following amendments to the Electricity Act, new regulations were enacted to allow private sector participation in the refurbishment, upgrading, replacement, and development of electricity transmission infrastructure.
The reforms are intended to mobilise private capital and technical expertise to accelerate investment in the transmission network, improve grid reliability, and support long-term power sector sustainability.
The UETCL–Gridworks agreement is seen as a test case for future public-private partnerships in Uganda’s transmission subsector, as the country seeks to modernise its electricity infrastructure and meet rising demand.
