The government has supplied 3,000 free power meters to Buggala Island inhabitants through Kalangala Infrastructure Services Ltd (KIS).
In 2014, the government offered a thermal and solar hybrid power supply to Buggala island inhabitants through (KIS), replacing UEDCL, which was delivering solely generator power to Kalangala Town Council. However, at the time, just 400 individuals were linked to this electricity, which was turned on at 6:00 a.m. and lasted until lunchtime.
The government is now attempting to link an additional 3,000 islanders to power under its Electricity Connection Policy. Currently, 5,700 islanders are linked to power via a 1.6MW generator.
Islanders who wanted additional connections had to pay between 800,000 and 1.4 million shillings. They will, however, just pay a shillings 48,000 inspection cost under this arrangement.
In addition, the government is constructing a power undersea cable to link the island to the national power grid after learning that this hybrid station has been underperforming due to chronic load shedding.
Speaking to the media about power supply, Joseph Mulindwa, a KIS representative, stated that additional advantages are on the way, with this submarine cable power tariff decrease included.
“We hope that a new power tariff will be set lower than the one in existence, power will be on 24/7 and even the villages which had no power will now be connected,” he said.
This cable will be operated by KIS, which has already installed the change-over switches at the Bukuzindu Hybrid Power Station.
According to Lukwago, the power plant manager, the two systems will be carefully controlled, with one operating at the same time.
“Arrangements have already been made because we have auto reclosers installed in Bugoma and Bukuzindu.” We will prioritize if it is time and we have enough electricity from solar, and during the night, we will open the power from the undersea cable since our solar will be down,” he added.
According to one of the clients, Disan Bisula, this new marine cable scheme may help other islands since KIS will be able to put up other stations.
Because of the availability of power, Buggala has seen significant growth. Bambalazaabwe Ssemakula, an island resident, praised the government and the entity for improving the lives of islanders.
Over 60 persons have currently finished their application forms for the free electricity connection, adding to the 400 who lost out in 2021 due to the government’s discontinuation of the ECP program.
