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What is the reason for establishing Electricity Consumer Committees (ECCs) by the Regulator?

ANS:

ECCs have been established in the utility sectors of several other countries like Zambia and South Africa before starting on a pilot basis in Uganda. They act as:-

An intervention expected to raise knowledge about sector issues to consumers – a channel for communication with the grassroots.
The Regulator is able to receive feedback directly from consumers to inform their Licensee monitoring role.
Facilitate joint working relations between the electricity companies, ECCs and consumers.
Promote stakeholder participation and involvement – improve multi-sectoral collaboration & coordination.

ECCs guiding principles:-

Putting the consumer first.
Being open and accessible.
Providing an independent consumer voice.

How they are to be established:-

- The pilot districts are Kampala and Jinja. ECCs in both municipalities will be established at Divisional levels. First pilot divisions for Kampala are Central, and Nakawa divisions; while in Jinja the pilot Division for setting up an ECC is Walukuba / Masese.
- Divisional ECCs to have 10 representatives headed by a Chairperson.
- ECC Representatives need to have relevant knowledge on how the electricity industry operates.
- Members on a committee do offer voluntary work, i.e. their services are at no cost.
- Members to committees meet regularly i.e. every month depending on business.
- Chairpersons to ECCs will meet with ERA four times a year.