The Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development is considering establishing mobile regional circuit courts in a bid to resolve disputes arising from electricity consumption.
Currently, the Electricity Distribution Tribunal (EDT) is handling complaints only in Kampala at Amber House, the Energy Ministry’s headquarters.
The tribunal which was established in 1999 and works like any other court of law in the country arbitrates cases such as inflated bills, loss of electric appliances, power surges and disputes arising from non compensation from leeway in case an electricity transmission line passes on an individual’s plot of land among others.
However EDT does not handle criminal cases like vandalism of electricity cables.
Mr Yusuf Masaba, a Communications Specialist with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development told journalists in Gulu town that the plan is to bring the tribunal closer to the electricity consumers.
Yusuf noted that, “On many occasions, it will require one to register his complaint only at the Kampala offices since there is none which is in existence any party of the country currently. To ease the current burden facing power consumers in the country, we will soon establish a desk where a focal point person will assist the electricity customers who need the service of the tribunal to register their complaints.”
According to Yusuf, the complaint will later be taken to Kampala for processing before hearing can kick off in two weeks.
He admitted that, “Due to the costs and distance involved, many find it very inconveniencing despite the fact that they may feel aggrieved.”
In the future, the Ministry of Energy is considering instituting a mobile court circuit in case numbers of cases upsurges.
Mr Jimmy Orut, a power consumer in Gulu town welcomed the development but faulted EDT for keeping majority of power users in the dark saying many are still unaware about the existence of such a body.
Orut says, “Dozens have lost their appliances such as fridges and TV sets but they do not know where to go for help.”
Orut asked EDT officials to sensitize the consumers.
Mr Daniel Komakech, a resident of Gulu town said he is very disappointed with the rampant, irregular supplies of power by Umeme and the company should not take patience of its customers for granted.
Komakech said, “As one of the consumers, I have shown maturity and been patient despite irresponsible acts by Umeme since they have failed to neither notify customers why power is going to be switched off nor why it is being switched off.”
In October last year, local authorities in Gulu district mounted pressure on the electricity distribution company, Umeme over the irregular power supply that rocked Gulu town for weeks.
The power cuts brought businesses that deal in haircuts and styling, fresh vegetables and milk and secretarial services to their knees as millions of shillings are lost in the process.
Mr David Birungi, the Communications Outage and Information Manager at UMEME LTD attributed the problem to lack of protection mechanism on the electricity line causing fluctuation in power supplies to the affected areas
Birungi explained that the problem has been identified on the Lira- Gulu line and will be solved soon.
Though the works on 11KVA power lines is partially complete while another 33 KVA is expected to be complete soon, residents in the greater north have not experienced stable power supply.