On 7^th February, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. General Hajji Abubaker Jeje Odongo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, signed the Country Hosting Agreement for the Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).

This follows a Cabinet approval on 8^th May 2023 to host the Secretariat of the IRB in Kampala. The Country Host Agreement represents the Government’s commitment to host the IRB Secretariat in Kampala and grant it diplomatic status and tax exemption.

During the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, Eng. Waako reiterated that hosting the IRB Secretariat, among other benefits, provides Uganda with an opportunity to contribute to the development of an effective Regional Electricity market, which will ensure supply security, improve sector efficiencies, improve reliability, and spur economic development. She also noted that hosting the IRB will improve the country’s image, provide training and employment opportunities to Ugandans, and boost economic activity in the country and the region at large.

Hon. General Hajji Abubaker Jeje Odongo thanked the Technical Teams for spearheading the hosting of the IRB Secretariat. He emphasized the Government’s commitment to ensure the country's development by investing in the necessary Energy infrastructure.

The East Africa Power Pool (EAPP) as a specialized institution of COMESA was created in 2006 by the Eleventh Summit of the Heads of State. It has grown to over 13 (Thirteen) member countries that signed the Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMOU).

The IRB is mandated to provide fair and effective regulatory services to facilitate the development and efficient operation of the regional Electricity market in Eastern Africa and to ensure a conducive environment for Regional infrastructure investments.