Lira, Uganda – Over 60 journalists from across the Lango sub-region participated in an interactive discussion at Good News Hotel on Wednesday, organized by the Senior Stakeholders Engagement Officer at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Mr. Kasita Ibrahim.
Mr. Kasita highlighted the five key functions of ERA and explained that ERA operates under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
He discussed key players in the sector, including UEGCL, UETCL, IPPs, UEDCL, UMEME Ltd, and Offgrids, among other distributors. He emphasized that consumers are central to the power distribution process, as they are the primary beneficiaries.
One of the top challenges facing ERA, according to Mr. Kasita, is the deliberate vandalism of power infrastructure, leading to unreliable power supply.
He pointed out the Lira-Kole and Lira-Opuyo lines as being particularly affected, as well as the vandalism of stay wires. He also mentioned failures in wooden transmission poles, specifically along the Mbale-Tororo line, and urged the media to educate the public on energy losses and the risk of wildfires damaging wooden poles.
Daniel Olinga, ERA Principal Engineer based in the Gulu Regional Office and in charge of the Acholi, Lango, West Nile, and Bunyoro sub-regions, urged journalists to sensitize the public to report illegal electricity connections that contribute to power losses.
“We need to fight against those who steal electricity. We need to fight this vice,” warned Eng. Daniel Olinga. He elaborated on various tariffs, charges, and the tariff structure.
According to Section 9 of the Constitution of Uganda, a person found guilty of stealing electricity can be fined 20,000 currency points or face imprisonment for 10 years, or both.
