Senior Reporter
The Kigezi business community and activists have accused the “Kigezi Business Community and Activists Accuse ERA of Neglecting Electricity Consumers” (ERA) of neglecting the concerns of electricity consumers.
These grievances were aired during a stakeholder engagement meeting organized by the Electricity Regulatory Authority and Uganda National Chambers of Commerce and Industry at Cephas INN hotel in Kabale Municipality.
Aggrey Mastiko, the owner of Bricops International, Drake Dias Owoyesigire, representing Hamuhambo Town Council in the Rubanda District Council, and Barnabas Tugumisirize from Kabale City Claim, among others, expressed dissatisfaction with ERA’s apparent lack of action. They highlighted that despite the meeting’s goal to educate the public on electricity sustainability and combat vandalism, critical issues like power outages, especially in Kabale, remained unaddressed. They also questioned ERA’s effectiveness in fulfilling its regulatory responsibilities.
In response, Ibrahim Kasita, the senior stakeholder engagement officer at the Electricity Regulatory Authority, clarified that they had extended invitations to UMEME Uganda Limited’s Kabale branch. However, the utility company failed to attend. Kasita emphasized ERA’s commitment to protecting consumer rights, reassuring stakeholders that they would investigate UMEME’s absence and ensure accountability.
