The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited has started installing bird guards along the Waligo 33kV feeder to reduce recurring power outages caused by birds.
The feeder connects the Kawanda and Waligo substations and carries an electricity load of about 13.2 megawatts.
It supplies residential and commercial customers in Gayaza, Kyanja, Kungu, Masooli, Busukuma, Nangabo and Nalyamagonja.
Other areas served by the line include Komamboga, Kitetitka, Namere, Lusanja, Kiteezi and Kitala. Industrial customers, including Ugachick, also rely on the feeder.
Landfill attracts marabou storks
UEDCL project lead Kassim Kasana said the line had recorded an average of five bird-related faults each month over the past four months.
Investigations linked the rising number of interruptions to a recently opened landfill beneath the feeder route.
The landfill attracts large numbers of marabou storks, which rest on electricity poles and cross arms between scavenging periods.
Kasana said the birds’ large wings can connect live conductors with grounded sections of the power infrastructure during take-off or landing.
“Due to their size, their wings frequently bridge the strict clearance gap between live conductors and grounded structures when taking off or landing, resulting in repetitive, high-current phase-to-ground transient faults,” Kasana said.
These faults interrupt electricity supply and can affect homes, businesses and industries connected to the feeder.
Bird guards to protect wildlife and power infrastructure
Kasana said the bird guards would reduce transient faults, protect electricity revenue and improve network reliability.
The intervention also aims to protect marabou storks from electrocution.
UEDCL is carrying out the project in line with National Environment Management Authority guidelines on biodiversity protection.
Kasana said marabou storks are protected wildlife species in Uganda. Therefore, authorities cannot eliminate or forcibly displace them.
“By installing bird guards, we have ensured that marabou storks drawn to the landfill can safely land on utility structures without completing an electrical circuit. The birds will be insulated from fatal electrocutions, simultaneously protecting the storks and preventing costly grid outages,” he said.
The guards prevent birds from touching exposed electrical components while allowing them to continue resting on the utility structures.
UEDCL expects more stable electricity supply
Jimmy Kiggundu, the UEDCL Area Engineer for Namugongo, said the company expects the project to improve electricity reliability across the affected areas.
“Once installation is completed this month, power supply will be more stable and reliable,” Kiggundu said.
UEDCL said the installation forms part of its wider efforts to strengthen Uganda’s electricity distribution network.
The company said the project also demonstrates how electricity infrastructure can be protected without harming wildlife.