Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering
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Item Assessing required upgrades on electricity distribution network in Tororo to adopt e-mobility charging infrastructure : case study Town Ring 11Kv feeder.(Busitema University, 2026-06-29) Opio, Paul; Okello, OscarUganda's growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), driven by the National E-Mobility Strategy, presents both opportunities and challenges for the existing electricity distribution infrastructure. This study assesses the required upgrades on the electricity distribution network in Tororo to support e-mobility charging infrastructure, using the Town Ring 11 kV feeder supplied from Tororo Rock Substation as a case study. Primary data was collected through field visits, interviews with electric motorcycle operators from Spiro and Gogo, and site visits to battery swapping stations. Secondary data was obtained from the Uganda E-Mobility Report and MEMD publications. Energy demand was estimated using the formula E = N × S × Es, and EV growth was projected from a baseline of 300 electric motorcycles in 2025 to 4,000 by 2030, with electric cars growing from 0 to 50 over the same period. Network simulation was carried out under three scenarios: baseline with no EVs, 10% EV penetration, and 30% EV penetration. Results show that the feeder's peak demand of 1,820 kW already exceeds its thermal limit of 1,800 kW before any EV load is added. At 30% EV penetration, five out of eleven transformers enter overload conditions. The integration of EV charging infrastructure significantly reshapes the load profile, with the evening peak increasing from 1,820 kW to a projected total of 6,010 kW by 2030. The study recommends upgrading overloaded transformers, increasing cable capacity, and deploying smart charging strategies to shift EV demand to off-peak hours, ensuring reliable and stable grid operation as e-mobility adoption accelerates in Tororo.Item Design and implementation of a prepaid unit sharing management systemin UEDCL light meters.(Busitema university, 2026-07) Muhangi, Raymond; Kabakumba, Desire BenginaLight metering system includes a customer interface unit (CIU) that is easily accessible on the user premises. Upon any payment, a 20-digit token MUST be entered to have units loaded into the meter. This project proposes the design and implementation of a secure, reliable, and user-friendly prepaid electricity unit-sharing platform that enables LIGHT (formerly Yaka) customers under Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to share or transfer purchased prepaid electricity units between meters. The system will provide a mobile and web-based interface for initiating, approving, and tracking unit transfers, while ensuring compliance with meter token formats and vendor workflows. The platform aims to improve customer flexibility, reduce wasted units, and increase user satisfaction while preserving utility revenue protection and data integrity.Item Design and implementation of a seat occupancy detection and weight monitoring system for road transportation vehicles.(Busitema University, 2026) Atwala, Godfrey; Nkoko,JoshuaThis project presents the design and implementation of an automatic seat occupancy and weight monitoring system for road transportation vehicles in Uganda. A single-seat prototype is developed using a 20 kg load cell, HX711 signal amplifier, Arduino Uno microcontroller, 16×4 I2C LCD display, and an active buzzer. The system detects whether a seat is occupied based on a calibrated weight threshold, displays the measured weight and occupancy status in real time, and triggers an alarm when the measured load exceeds a set maximum. Beyond seated passengers, the project also addresses the broader problem of unmonitored weight contributors in public transport — specifically standing passengers and passenger luggage — both of which significantly increase total vehicle load yet remain invisible to existing passenger counting systems. The prototype demonstrates the fundamental sensing principle for a full vehicle deployment and contributes toward solving the persistent problems of overcrowding, overloading, and the absence of automated weight data in Uganda’s public transport sector. Testing covers accuracy, repeatability, and threshold boundary behaviour under static loading conditions.Item Network reconfiguration as a cost effective strategy for technical loss reduction on Busitema Tiira Toff.(Busitema University, 2026-06-30) Byonabye, Moses; Atwebembire, ProdeElectrical distribution networks experience the highest concentration of technical power losses within utility systems, driven by physical line properties and loading patterns. In Uganda, long radial feeders serving mixed consumer segments frequently suffer from severe voltage degradation and heavy line losses. The Busitema-Tiira 33kV T-off feeder is a critical radial infrastructure segment serving a heterogeneous load profile, including intense inductive mining loads in Tiira, residential loads across trading centers, and the Busitema University main campus. Operating under an un-optimized configuration, the feeder suffers from severe technical power losses and failure to optimally evacuate power from the local 4MW grid-connected solar plant. Traditional physical reinforcements remain capital-intensive, highlighting the need for cost-effective operational alternatives. This study investigates network reconfiguration as a low-cost strategy to optimize system performance without extensive capital asset installation. Relying on operational data from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), a high-fidelity model of the T-off grid segment was built and validated using DIgSILENT PowerFactory and Power World Simulator. An AC power flow engine executing the Newton-Raphson method was used to establish a baseline state and locate loss hotspots. A multi-source optimization model was implemented by proposing a 33kV dedicated feeder line from the UETCL Tororo Substation, coordinated through three automated Tie Switches (Normally Open) and two Sectionalizing Switches (Normally Closed) using the Tie Open Point Optimization module. The optimization framework successfully shifted the feeder structure into an optimal radial state. Under peak conditions, active technical power losses were reduced by 41.19%, dropping from a baseline of 26.9 kW to 15.8 kW. This technical recovery translates into an annualized energy savings of 97,130.88 kWh, yielding UGX 31,878,354.82 in recovered utility revenue. The findings prove that network reconfiguration, paired with strategic automation, can drastically expand power system load-carrying capability and lower operational overhead. This approach serves as a viable, scalable operational model for electricity distribution companies across Uganda aiming to optimize efficiency on long radial feeders. Keywords: Network Reconfiguration, Technical Losses, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, Feeder Optimization, Uganda Distribution Grid, Load-Carrying CapabilityItem Power distributor Umeme lights up Pallisa town(New Vision, 2018-06-04) Nampala, MosesPallisa District like many others across the country, has a huge business potential in health, education, grinding mills, kiosks, restaurants, fabrication, business, dairy farming, among others. Many residents felt a huge relief when Umeme opened it's first service centre (office) in the district in 63 years.Item Design an Automatic Forward and Reverse starter for a three Phase Induction Motor(Busitema University, 2026) Mugwe, SimonThis project designs and implements an automated forward and reverses starter system for a three phase induction motor to replace high risk manual switching mechanisms. Industrial and workshop environments heavily rely on these motors for conveyor belts, cranes, and machining equipment where directional changes are constantly required. Traditional manual phase reversal switches expose operators to high voltages and introduce severe mechanical and electrical stress to the motor due to abrupt directional changes. By integrating magnetic contactors, overload relays, and time delay mechanisms, this design ensures smooth transitions between forward, stop, and reverse states. Crucially, the system features both hardware and electrical interlocking mechanisms to prevent the forward and reverse contactors from engaging simultaneously, effectively eliminating the risk of catastrophic line to line short circuits. To enhance precision and monitoring, the system integrates an Arduino microcontroller platform for sensor based automation. The Arduino acts as the central control unit, processing inputs from operational switches or position sensors and managing output signals to the relay modules that drive the heavy duty contactors. Thermal overload relays are embedded within the power circuit to continuously monitor current draw, immediately cutting power if an overcurrent or fault condition is detected. Furthermore, the microcontroller enforces programmed time delays during direction switches, ensuring the motor rotor comes to a complete rest before reversing. The resulting prototype offers a highly reliable, safe, and cost-effective motor control solution that significantly reduces maintenance downtime and improves operator safety in small-scale industrial and micro workshops.Item Investor to manufacture transformers, flat irons(New Vision, 2018-05-11) Vision, ReporterA Chinese entrepreneur, Pengfei Zhang, has expressed interest in investing in a multi-manufacturing factory for the production of an assortment of electrical equipment in Uganda.Item Karuma engineers lay down tools over pay(Daily Monitor, 2017-10-13) Owiny, Jolly TobiasWorks at Karuma Hydro-power plant has stalled after engineers supervising construction went on strike over pay.Item Tororo gets new 10MW solar plant(Daily Monitor, 2017-10-16) Wesonga, NelsonThe government is today expected to switch on the Tororo Solar North plant. The plant in Tororo District, about 200 kilo metres east of Kampala, will generate 10 megawatts (MW).Item Karuma dam supervisor to be replaced.(New Vision, 2017-12-01) Odyek, JohnThe Government is looking for a new supervisor for the construction of the sh6 trillion Karuma dam. This follows concerns about the quality of supervision of the project owner's engineer, Energy Infratech PYT Ltd, the Indian-based company. This was revealed by Margaret Proscovia Njuki,Item Umeme prioritises safety, Health.(Saturday Monitor, 2018-04-28) Wagabaza, OwenAccording to Ronald Miti, an occupational health expert, occupational health and safety is the aspect where an employer puts in place systems and processes that prevent non-intentional injuries arising from the processes and systems employed and behaviour accruing from the people who interface with these systems.Item Sh2.2 trillion set aside for free rural power connections.(New Vision, 2018-04-24) Sanya, SamuelThe electricity connections policy aims at increasing access to electricity from the current 20% to 60% by 2027 in the country.Item Isimba:(New Vision, 2017-08-16) Bwambale, TaddeoWhen the first turbine of the 183-megawatt Isimba hydropower dam is switched on in August next year, residents of Busaana sub-county in Kayunga district will be looking for much more than light. Four years ago, much of the area, located on the lower banks of the River Nile,Item Sewage plant to produce electricity opens January.(New Vision, 2017-08-14) Bwambale, Taddeo; Waiswa, JulietWhen a new sh420b sewage treatment plant opens in Kampala in January next year, it will not only filter much of the city's waster, but also produce electricity. The construction of the facility in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, is almost complete.Item MPs direct REA to recover sh3b for electricity supply(New Vision, 2018-05-30) Sekanjako, HenryMPs on Parliament's committee on commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises (COSASE), have directed the Rural electrification Agency (REA), together with Solicitor General, to recover sh3b from an electricity supply deal in western Uganda. Ferdsult had not paid any of the concession fees (sh420m) since the contract was signed.Item Uganda needs a diverse energy mix(New Vision, 2018-04-23) Mutikanga, HarrisonUganda's energy sector is experiencing rapid growth and transformation. Two major power plants, Isimba (183MW) and Karuma (600MW) will increase the energy capacity of the country, leading to rural electrification, industrialization, and other important infrastructure projects to ensure a robust market for the electricity produced. Uganda Electricity Generation Company and others are looking to increase the renewable energy mix, with explorations in geothermal and Solar.Item Specialised Technical Services big on fuel system installation(New Vision, 2017-07-13) Naigino, StellaToday, many people are opening up fuel stations, but few are aware of the dos and don'ts for the business. It is for this reason that some fuel stations catch fire. However, with the right information on safety measures at a fuel station, fires can be avoided.Item Karuma to switch on two 100MW turbines next year.(New Vision, 2017-08-08) Bwambale, Taddeothirty-five-year-old Jane Namukwaya, a mother of two, runs a small retail shop that doubles as a restaurant at Karuma, a settlement in the western district of Kiryandongo. She spends sh4,000 on a litre of paraffin daily,Item Karuma hydropower dam set to open next year.(New Vision, 2017-08-08) Bwambale, TaddeoA person travelling on the Gulu-Masindi highway will have no idea that 100 metres beneath them, water will be flowing back to the never through two parallel 8km- long runnels. The runnels will discharge water that has been diverted to the powerhouse back to the River Nile,Item Kawanda- Karuma power line construction starage facility closed(New Vision, 2018-05-09) Mutegeki, GeoffreyThe storage facility for the firm constructing the Kawanda-Karuma transmission power line has been closed over environmental concerns.
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