EEC Launch

Electricity Regulatory Authority

Press Release

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

ERA steps up Licensee monitoring program; launches 2nd Electricity Consumer Committee (ECC) in Nakawa Division

Kampala; April 23rd 2008: In a bid to step up its monitoring and supervisory role on electricity operators; the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has today launched its second Electricity Consumer Committee (ECC) for the Electricity Sub Sector in Nakawa Division. This first ECC launched in Kampala Central Division (Business District) last year has been operational for seven months now; and this has greatly aided the ERA’s information flow in their licensee monitoring role.

Today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operations of the ECCs has been signed between ERA and representatives to the Nakawa Division ECC following extensive consultation between both parties on the modalities of operations for the smooth running of the committee. This also marked the climax following stakeholder nominations, interviews, training and orientation processes conducted by the ERA to enlist members to the ECCs that has been on going for the last two months.

Like the case for the Kampala Central Division ECC whose focus is the Business District; today’s launch is also a pilot study for the domestic electricity consuming public and it will replicated in other regions after thorough evaluation. Additionally the first week of May 2008 will see this replication launched outside of the City in Masese / Walukuba Division - Jinja District.

The main 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. Nsubuga John Bosco of Raps (U) Ltd.
Private Sector Foundation represented by Harriet Nasukusa of Uganda Women Entrepreneur’s Association.
Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Mr. Dawood Kawadwa – UNCCI; Nakawa.
Uganda Small Scale Industries represented by Mr. Vincent Kirumira of Crest Form Ltd.
The Active NGO in the Division represented by Mr. George William Kiyingi of Mbuya Family Helper Project.
Local Government Nakawa Division represented by Edward Kigozi – LC3 Division Representative.
Domestic Representatives:

Linos Ngompek – Media Practitioner
John Abel Basaliza – Secretary LC1; Kyanja Zone - Nakawa
Bwire B. Namwenge – Accountant; J.H.M. Stationers Ltd.
Arthur Karemire – Headmaster; Trinty Primary school – Bukoto.

Ends.