Kiggundu appointed NWSC board chairperson

The former Electoral Commission (EC) chairman, Dr. Eng. Badru Kiggundu has been appointed the chairperson of the board of directors of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).

The state minister for Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance, Peter Ogwang addressing journalists in Kampala on Friday said the decision to appoint Kiggundu was agreed during a cabinet meeting at State House Entebbe on Monday.

Kiggundu, who led the EC from November, 2002 to November, 2016 replaces Dr Eng Christopher Ebal whose term of office has expired.

Former East African Legislative Assembly speaker Dan Kidega was also approved as a member of the Board.

Cabinet according to Ogwang went ahead to approve the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020.

"It will soon be brought to Parliament for debate," he said.

The objectives of the Bill according to Ogwang include provision of additional functions to the Electricity Regulatory Authority on top increasing its funding allocation from 0.3% to 0.7% of the revenue received from generated electrical energy.

It is also intended at empowering the minister to prescribe the procedures for transfer of generation assets to government.

The Bill also prescribes the circumstances under which a holder of a generation license or transmission license may supply electricity to persons other than a bulk supplier.

"It will also provide for deterrent penalties for theft of electricity and vandalism of electrical facilities," Ogwang said.

Membership and funding of the Electricity Disputes Tribunal is provided for in the Bill.

The Bill also intends to include the regulatory framework the ministry responsible for electricity as a shareholder of the successor company and the other related matters.