Between 22nd -23rd November 2017 and 6th - 7th December 2017, Electricity Regulatory Authority executed its mandate under the Electricity Act, 1999 by  certifying over  100 wiremen from different parts of the country, in a bid to eliminate all uncertified wiremen operating illegally in Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry.

Prior to the certification, Electricty Regulatory Authority conducted trainings for the wiremen in different parts of the country such as Mbale, Lira, Kalangala, Masaka Mbarara and the most recent being trainings conducted in Fort Portal Municipality.

The major aim of ERA conducting the trainings was to ensure that wiremen get equipped with practical skills in electrical installation, to help them do their work effectively.

ERA certified the wiremen after the trainings and sitting for interviews conducted by the 4 member Installation Permit Committee, chaired by the ERA Director for Technical Regulation, Dr. Richard Okou.

ERA has always urged all wiremen carrying out electrical installations to apply for permits and get certified in order to operate legally. All certified wiremen were issued with Electrical Installation certificates.

ERA instituted a process to investigate, apprehend and prosecute all wiremen who are operating illegally and so far,  a number of wiremen have been apprehended, presented to court, sentenced and others are yet to be presented to court for prosecution.

Section 88(1) and (2) of the Electricity Act, 1999 mandates ERA to certify all wiremen to ensure that they do operate in a secure, professional, effective and efficient manner, to avoid accidents that occur as a result of poor electrical installation.