Newslex Point News in Uganda, Uganda news
The Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) used to be a monopoly managing generation, transmission, distribution, sale, import, and export of Uganda’s electricity. However, in 2001 it got split into three segments.
These segments were;
- The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), manages only the production of electricity.
- The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), presides over the distribution of power in the country.
- The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) manages how electricity is moved from the source to its destination.
These segments still exist today but all operate independently with the generation and distribution segments being liberalized. However, the government also owns its generation and distribution companies.
When it comes to the transmission segment, this one is wholly owned by the government of Uganda through UETCL.
The company is solely responsible for purchasing electricity in bulk and selling it to distribution companies in Uganda.
The amendment of the Electricity Act 2022 removed the single buyer system where one body bought all power generated.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) CEO Eng Ziria Tibalwa Waako reaffirmed this on Tuesday. This means that ERA is required to put some regulations in place that operationalize that amendment.
“So, we are in the process of putting in place the regulations. We are already at the draft stage, and we are consulting various stakeholders to have their input in this regulation to ensure that once it is finalized, it meets the expectation of all players,” Eng Waako said.
She also said the regulation should be fair to all consumers who are using the same voltage.
Transmission infrastructure growth has stunted generation and distribution which have attracted substantial investment, especially from China.
This came after the government partially privatized those two sectors, following the unbundling of Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) in 2000. The power transmission sector in Uganda requires fresh investment of billions of dollars.
By June 2023, Karuma hydropower plant will be completed and commissioned and will be generating 600 megawatts. With this, Uganda’s total general ratio capacity will be brought to 2,000 megawatts.
If the sector isn’t opened to private investment, a risk of power plants being completed without transmission lines in place will arise.
This is probably the reason government considered opening electricity transmission to private investment.
Check Also;
- Destruction Of Electricity Infrastructure Is Like Terrorism -Ruth Nankabirwa
- Police Recovers Suspected Stolen Electricity Transmission Lines
- “We Shall Overcome The Umeme Mistake,” Museveni To Ugandans
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![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
