By Joyce Namutebi

THE natural resources parliamentary committee wants UMEME to account for $19.4m it received from the Government.

During a meeting yesterday, MPs were concerned about the continued load-shedding, power loss and UMEME's billing system.

They resolved to ask the Auditor General to verify payments to UMEME, which amount to S$8.4m and $11m.

Senior officials of the ministries of energy and water are expected to appear before them next week to present their budgets and policy statements for the financial year 2008/09.

Kaberamaido district Woman MP Ibi Florence told journalists that the power distributors had not provided value for money.

“We have continued seeing power losses and load-shedding.”

Ibi said the electricity tariffs had gone up yet UMEME was granted subsidies. “Is it value for money or 100% profit making?” she asked.

The Rwampara MP, Charles Ngabirano (NRM), blamed UMEME's billing system.

“There are serious concerns about the bills they issue. Many people have lost trust in the system. They think that UMEME is fleecing them of their money.”

He said Parliament had asked the company a year ago to rectify their billing system. UMEME should explain its investment plan to MPs, he added.