Mbarara Hospital Gets Dedicated Power Line to Cut Outages, Generator Costs

What the report says

Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in western Uganda has received a dedicated 33kV three-phase electricity line, a change hospital officials say should reduce power outages and lower reliance on diesel generators. The development was announced by Dr Deus Twesigye, the hospital’s senior consultant general surgeon and acting senior executive consultant, during a staff meeting on the 2026/27 financial year.

According to the hospital, the new connection was installed and handed over by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). It is expected to improve supply to departments that depend on continuous electricity, including the intensive care unit, neonatal unit, operating theatres, radiology and clinical laboratories. The hospital had previously depended on a shared line, which left it vulnerable to interruptions that could affect patient care and the use of sensitive medical equipment.

Hospital spokesperson Halson Kagure said a steadier supply should help protect expensive machines such as the MRI scanner from damage linked to sudden power cuts. Engineer Ssemata Patrick added that generator fuel costs had at times reached millions of shillings each week during prolonged outages. He said the dedicated line should ease that burden and free up resources for patient care.

The hospital said most major units are already connected to the new system, while the interns’ hostels and the Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre will be added in phases. Twesigye also urged staff to avoid unnecessary power use so the hospital can make the most of the improved supply.