Parliament to summon Bbumba over power price increment
Nov 11, 2003
MEMBERS of the House committee on natural resources have protested against the abrupt move by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) to hike power rates by 15%.
By John Kakande
MEMBERS of the House committee on natural resources have protested against the abrupt move by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) to hike power rates by 15%.
The committee demanded that the Minister of Energy, Syda Bumba and the UEDCL officials be summoned on Thursday to justify their action.
MPs Loyce Bwambale, Hanifa Kawooya, Janet Nantume, Dr Stephen Malinga, Nsubuga Nsambu, Muruli Mukasa, Francis Epatait and Tomson Kyahurenda expressed surprise at the power tariff increase.
The MPs learnt of the planned increment from The New Vision. Ndawula Kaweesi read to the MPs The New Vision lead story “Power price to shoot upâ€.
Lubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi told a press conference that during a recent energy workshop in Jinja, there was no hint from the officials of the energy ministry, UEDCL and Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) that there would be any increase in power tariff.
“I feel embarrassed that the storm is getting worse when we thought we were getting over it. We shall be accountable if we do not restrain ERA and the minister†said Epatait.
ERA announced on Monday that UEDCL has applied to hike power rates for the 213,870 domestic consumers by 15% in 2004. The public has up to today to give their views on the matter.
The new rates take effect next year.
MEMBERS of the House committee on natural resources have protested against the abrupt move by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) to hike power rates by 15%.
The committee demanded that the Minister of Energy, Syda Bumba and the UEDCL officials be summoned on Thursday to justify their action.
MPs Loyce Bwambale, Hanifa Kawooya, Janet Nantume, Dr Stephen Malinga, Nsubuga Nsambu, Muruli Mukasa, Francis Epatait and Tomson Kyahurenda expressed surprise at the power tariff increase.
The MPs learnt of the planned increment from The New Vision. Ndawula Kaweesi read to the MPs The New Vision lead story “Power price to shoot upâ€.
Lubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi told a press conference that during a recent energy workshop in Jinja, there was no hint from the officials of the energy ministry, UEDCL and Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) that there would be any increase in power tariff.
“I feel embarrassed that the storm is getting worse when we thought we were getting over it. We shall be accountable if we do not restrain ERA and the minister†said Epatait.
ERA announced on Monday that UEDCL has applied to hike power rates for the 213,870 domestic consumers by 15% in 2004. The public has up to today to give their views on the matter.
The new rates take effect next year.