Electricity Regulatory Authority

Press Release

For immediate release:
For more information contact:
Sarah Birungi Banage.
Tel: 341646 / 341852
Website: www.era.or.ug.
E-mail: era@africaonline.co.ug,

ERA now rolls out Electricity Consumer Committees countrywide – starts with Jinja’s Walukuba / Masese Division.

Jinja: May 7th 2008: Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has today rolled out up-country electricity consumer committees outside of Kampala in Jinja - Walukuba / Masese Division. To date two ECCs have been launched; the first in Kampala Central Division (Business District) having been launched seven months ago and this has greatly aided the ERA’s information flow in their licensee monitoring role.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) being signed today between the Jinja ECC representatives and ERA spells out the roles and responsibilities of ECCs’ to include:- Sensitization of consumers on the activities of the Regulator affecting the interests of consumers; Presenting complaints to the service providers on behalf of disadvantaged customers; Ensuring that feedback from the public about the electricity sub sector promptly gets to the Regulator; and facilitation of resolution of complaints and obtaining of appropriate remedies from the service providers to consumers amongst others.

Today’s ECC launch upcountry will also enable the ERA to evaluate the ECCs existence for effectiveness following the completion of the pilot phase in six months time frame.

Other reasons for the establishment of ECCs are as follows:-

Present unresolved consumer complaints to the electricity service providers and seek resolution of the said complaints.
Generally represent the interests of electricity consumers.
Provide objective feedback directly to the Regulator on consumer concerns and relevant issues in the electricity sector in order to inform their licensee monitoring role.
Promote stakeholder participation and involvement and improve multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination.
Facilitate joint working relations between the electricity companies, ECCs, and consumers

ECCs will be tasked with the following as stipulated in the MoU:-

Sensitize the electricity consumers on the roles and responsibilities of ECC.
Facilitate exchange of communication between electricity consumers and electricity service providers.
Sensitize electricity consumers on roles and functions of the Regulator.
Promote awareness on the procedure for resolution of disputes between the electricity consumers and electricity service providers.
Constantly provide information to ERA regarding electricity consumers’ concerns.
Constantly update electricity consumers on progress of resolution of their respective complaints.
Sensitize electricity consumers on their rights and obligations.
Promote awareness among electricity consumers on current trends evolving in the electricity sector.
Submit to ERA monthly reports of electricity consumers’ complaints that have been addressed to the electricity service provider in writing.
Carry out other functions related to consumer matters as may be agreed between the ECC and the Regulator.
Account for funds which may be contributed to / advanced to / or appropriated to or given to the ECC members by the Regulator or by any donors.

Finally the composition of ECCs has a varied outline of stakeholders to include the following:-

Uganda Manufacturers Association represented by Mr. Fred Mukoka of Engano Millers - Jinja.
Private Sector Foundation represented by Margaret Kyemba of Jinja Hospitality Service
Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Mr. Joel Kafuko – UNCCI; Jinja.
Uganda Small Scale Industries represented by Mr. Difasi Tidhiryala.
The Active NGO in the Division represented by Mr. Patrick Kayemba of FABIO (First African Bicycle Organization).
Local Government Jinja represented by Lt. Hannington Basakana – District Chairperson – Jinja.
Domestic Representatives:

Silver Eyoku
Daniel Masaba
William Isiika
Robert Owiny

Ends.