The Electricity Regulatory Authority on 14th February 2020 hosted a forum for 100 licensed Installation Permit companies.  The forum was opened by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development – Honorable Mary Goretti Kitutu.

The forum was the first engagement between the ERA and all licensed electrical installations companies involved in power line construction across the country in one gathering. The purpose of the forum was to sensitize Installations Permits holders about the upcoming and revised regulations governing their work. At the same forum, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) also introduced to the contractors the new standards and guidelines governing electricity network poles.

The forum provided a platform for ERA and Company Permit Holders to deliberate on issues that positively contribute toward achieving the Government of Uganda’s aspiration of Accelerating Access to clean, Reliable and Affordable Energy sources.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, who officiated at the Forum expressed her support toward the initiatives put in place by the Uganda Government and ERA concerning the development of the Electricity Sector.

The Minister mentioned initiatives including the Electricity Connection Policy, which targets to increase new connections from 70,000 to 300,000 per year, as well as electricity demand increment by 500 MW by 2027, and construction of the required transmission infrastructure to effectively evacuate the power from the different generation plants spread across the country.

The Minister however urged Company Permit Holders to work with Government to realize the aspirations of the electricity Sector by operating within the requirements of the Laws and Regulations, use of quality materials of standards approved by the relevant Authorities and carryout professional installations using skilled personnel.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, appreciated the work done Company Permit Holders urging them to continue with the good work by exhibiting professionalism in all their activities and also be responsible for the outputs of their work. The CEO further urged Company Permit Holders to guarantee value for money in all their works and ensure that the infrastructure put in place is safe and can last for generations.