Uganda and South Sudan have launched the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project (SUPIP), a 400-kilovolt cross-border transmission initiative designed to strengthen regional energy integration. The project, supported by the African Development Bank Group, involves 299 kilometers of double-circuit transmission lines and upgraded substations, connecting the two countries’ electricity networks. This development follows the disbursement of African Development Fund financing, effective July 13, 2026, and the formation of a project implementation team. The initiative is expected to expand electricity trade, improve power reliability, and create a market for Uganda’s surplus energy, according to officials from the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL).
At the technical launch on Thursday, Commissioner for Electrical Power Eng. Cecilia Menya Nakiranda emphasized the project’s alignment with the African Development Bank’s implementation requirements, including procurement, financial management, and environmental safeguards. Representing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Pauline Bateebe, Nakiranda highlighted the need for a shared understanding of these standards. Eng. Edward Ssekulima Baleke, a principal energy officer, stated the interconnection would enhance South Sudan’s electricity reliability while enabling Uganda to export surplus power. The project includes 150 kilometers of transmission lines from Olwiyo substation to Bibia, near the South Sudan border, alongside new substations and upgrades to existing infrastructure.
UETCL’s head of grid development, Daniel Emmanuel Okello, confirmed that Uganda and South Sudan will jointly procure engineering and construction contractors for the transmission line and substations. The project, funded by a $121 million loan from the African Development Bank (91.7 million units of account) and government co-financing, faces challenges such as procurement, land acquisition, and resettlement. Baba Fatajo, the African Development Bank’s Chief Regional Power Systems Officer, noted these hurdles must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. The infrastructure is also projected to boost transmission capacity in northern Uganda, optimize existing generation, and open avenues for further regional power exports.
The SUPIP marks a pivotal moment for East Africa’s energy landscape, targeting one of the region’s least electrified countries. By linking South Sudan to the Eastern Africa Power Pool, the project aims to stabilize power supply and foster economic growth. Officials underscored the importance of adhering to environmental and social safeguards, with implementation progressing amid ongoing coordination between Ugandan and South Sudanese authorities. The initiative reflects broader efforts to deepen regional cooperation and address energy poverty through cross-border infrastructure development.