On 8th December 2023, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) held a public hearing at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala to consult stakeholders on the Electricity Base Tariffs for the year 2024. The public hearing was conducted in respect of Applications for review of Tariffs and Budgets for the Year 2024, from 4 (four) Licensees, namely: Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL), and Umeme Limited, in line with the Electricity (Application for Permit, Licence and Tariff Review) Regulations, 2007.

The ERA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, while speaking at the hearing, indicated that Moving into the New Tariff Year, 2024, the Authority will focus on;

  1. The implementation of the various New Connection initiatives including, among others, the Electricity Scale-up project, the Hybrid Connection Policy and the Rebate Policy to accelerate Access to Clean Energy.
  2. Continued implementation of Tariff reduction initiatives to achieve 5 US cents for manufacturers, increase productivity and contribute to Tariff reduction in the rest of the customer categories.
  3. Promotion of more Investments aimed at Growing the Demand for Electricity, improvement of Reliability, and Reduction of Losses.
  4. Adoption of the Internet of Things (IOT), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence, Digitization, the Regulatory Information Management System (RIMS) and various advanced technologies through resilient designs to mitigate Vandalism, among other challenges, for improved service delivery and Sector efficiency in general.
  5. Preparation for the transition from Umeme Limited to the next Nominated Operator in the Ugandan Distribution Segment.

The ERA Chairperson, Dr. Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi who presided over the Public Hearing emphasized the need for the sub-sector to embrace the aspects of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and the need for all licensees to ensure that there is sector sustainability. She highlighted the sector’s milestones and the need to work towards securing the required reliability and sector sustainability amidst the sector reforms.

The participants at the hearing included the Licensees, Electricity Consumers, representatives of Government Agencies, and the Media.