Uganda to Acquire Land Corridor for SGR Power Line, Compensation Planned

The Ugandan government is moving forward with acquiring a 30-meter wide land corridor along the planned Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) route to facilitate the construction of a dedicated electricity transmission line. This power component, known as Uganda SGR Electrification, is deemed critical for the railway's operation, which will utilize an overhead catenary system for electric traction.

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) will be responsible for compensating Project Affected Persons (PAPs) whose land and property fall within the designated corridor before construction commences. GESCH Consult Limited has been contracted to conduct a feasibility study and define the project's scope. The initiative involves establishing five dedicated traction power substations along the Malaba-Kampala corridor, connected to existing power grids.

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Compensation must be handled efficiently, noting that delays in compensating affected persons have previously contributed to setbacks in major infrastructure projects.

During a stakeholder engagement in Tororo, Martha Rwabona of GESCH Consult Limited urged local leaders to mobilize communities for cooperation to prevent delays. Tororo Municipal Deputy Town Clerk Okoth Kitong pressed UETCL to expedite the project, noting the long wait for SGR benefits. He also cautioned that compensation must be handled efficiently to avoid setbacks, citing past infrastructure projects delayed by compensation issues.

Mayor Benerd Ochieng of Tororo Municipality called for fair and timely compensation, ensuring affected residents can resettle without hardship. He also urged UETCL to remain committed and avoid issues that have plagued the SGR project, including security concerns arising from unused corridors. Local leaders additionally advocated for local content, specifically prioritizing residents for employment opportunities during the construction of the power transmission infrastructure. The project is expected to enhance the existing transmission network, improve electricity reliability, and reduce technical losses.

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Local leaders also called for local content, particularly the prioritisation of residents for employment opportunities during construction of the power transmission infrastructure.