The minister of energy and mineral development Ruth Nakabirwa have urged locals of Mbale city and sorrounding areas to apply for the free connection of electricity.
Minister revealed this while officiating as the chief guest during the opening of Eastern regional office for Electricity Regulatory Authority(ERA) earlier this week in Mbale city.
She noted that government has received a loan from world bank amounting up to USD 638 millions under electricity Access scale-up project to expand electricity connectivity in different parts of the country.
Minister encouraged locals to follow right steps while applying for free connection of electricity which includes hiring electrician certified by electricity regulatory Authority (ERA),having wiring certificate,paying inspection and Initial pre-loaded fee of sixty five thousand.
"Let us do community participation by paying inspection and Initial - pre-loaded fee to be connected to power more especially those staying near electric pole"minister said.
Sarah wasagali kanaabi the chairperson of Electricity regulatory Authority(ERA) meanwhile highlighted that the establishment of ERA regional office in Mbale city is to represent strategic direction of enhancing overall performance and better service delivery to the people across the region with special focus on consumer experience.
"We want to ensure that power is affordable, accessible and reliable to our citizens in various corners of the country,and increase demand for electricity"wasagali said.
She also called upon people of Mbale city and Eastern region to seek information about standard and policy of how to get electricity.
"We expect that this office on ground will address the needs of the people and challenges their are facing concerning the connection of electricity"wasagali added.
Hon Emmanuel Otim Otala the outgoing chairperson for the committee of Environment and Natural resources in Ugandan parliament said that since the contract of UMEME for distributing electricity is coming to an end, ERA should ensure that citizens get reliable and cheaper Electricity.
"UMEME have collected a lot of profits,and now it is time to get our own distribution company as a country for people to get power at cheaper price"Otala said.
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