UMEME report for forensic probe
Oct 19, 2009
THE report on the investigation into the inflated cost of electricity in Uganda is to be submitted to the coordinator of security agencies for “forensic probe†and probable action.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE report on the investigation into the inflated cost of electricity in Uganda is to be submitted to the coordinator of security agencies for “forensic probe†and probable action.
Sources yesterday said Gen. David Tinyefuza would today officially receive the report from the probe chairman, Gen. Salim Saleh.
When contacted, Saleh, who is also the senior presidential adviser on defence, said: “I am aware that security agencies are forming an “inter-intelligence†committee to investigate this matter further. It is not just a case of loss of control by those who were supposed to manage power, but also a security matter since power is a strategic resource.â€
Declining to discuss Tinyefuza’s task, Saleh added that “the whole thing went out of control and needs further assessment.â€
The report states that a number of metres procured by Umeme in 2009 were rejected by engineers in Umeme itself because they were calibrated to trip at higher speeds than is industrially accepted, hence measuring more energy consumed than was used.
Another random survey revealed that of 260,000 metres, over 100,000 had not been billed in the same quarter. Some customers did not get bills for two months in a row and in the third month, they received a hefty bill.
“It will also guide on what action should be taken on individuals who caused loss to the nation,†Saleh says in the report.
The report states that UMEME fraudulently inflated losses in distributing power, forcing government to compensate them over sh452b between 2005 and 2009. The probe that began mid-July and ended October recommends that UMEME’s concession be suspended and renegotiated.
Highlights of report under SPECIAL REPORT
THE report on the investigation into the inflated cost of electricity in Uganda is to be submitted to the coordinator of security agencies for “forensic probe†and probable action.
Sources yesterday said Gen. David Tinyefuza would today officially receive the report from the probe chairman, Gen. Salim Saleh.
When contacted, Saleh, who is also the senior presidential adviser on defence, said: “I am aware that security agencies are forming an “inter-intelligence†committee to investigate this matter further. It is not just a case of loss of control by those who were supposed to manage power, but also a security matter since power is a strategic resource.â€
Declining to discuss Tinyefuza’s task, Saleh added that “the whole thing went out of control and needs further assessment.â€
The report states that a number of metres procured by Umeme in 2009 were rejected by engineers in Umeme itself because they were calibrated to trip at higher speeds than is industrially accepted, hence measuring more energy consumed than was used.
Another random survey revealed that of 260,000 metres, over 100,000 had not been billed in the same quarter. Some customers did not get bills for two months in a row and in the third month, they received a hefty bill.
“It will also guide on what action should be taken on individuals who caused loss to the nation,†Saleh says in the report.
The report states that UMEME fraudulently inflated losses in distributing power, forcing government to compensate them over sh452b between 2005 and 2009. The probe that began mid-July and ended October recommends that UMEME’s concession be suspended and renegotiated.
Highlights of report under SPECIAL REPORT