OPEN LETTER TO MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINIREAL DEVELOPMENT TO CONSINDER OUR RECOMMENDATIONS IN ELECETRICITY AMENDEMENT BILL 2022.

Dear sir/madam,

On behalf of Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda (WoGEMU) and on my own behalf, I first thank you and your team for the efforts towards improving the livelihood of Ugandans by amending electricity amendment bill 2022.

Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda (WoGEMU) is community based organization founded majorly to improve the livelihood of vulnerable citizens especially women, girls and youth by influencing them to participate in promoting a greener economy.

In particular, WoGEMU empowers and sensitize women on affordable clean energy since there are the champions of the natural resources like environment, land among others…….. a good electricity law will help Uganda to achieve huge national and international targets and obligations including   the Sustainable Development Goals 7   and 13 (access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), the objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), the 2016 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the National Development Plan, the 2040 National Vision, the 2016 Compact Agreement between Uganda the UK governments and others.

However, honorable Minister, it’s important to note that  Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, so bringing electricity to more than 40 million Ugandans is a critical national and regional objective. Despite significant efforts over the last 20 years, the rate has remained low around 24%. It’s also note worth that Uganda electricity access has reached nearly 60% of the population in urban areas, while in rural areas is still limited to 18%, Latest data from the World Bank estimates national access rate to be 26% in 2016.

Considering the statists above, rural areas have limited access to electricity this is because electricity is still expensive, inaccessible, limited and static. And   this has delayed their social economic transformation. It’s also important to note that limited access to electricity has greatly affected women who are running businesses in informal sectors hence forcing them to live in poor standard of living thus becoming more vulnerable.

Honorable minister in recognition of the important role the electricity sector plays in Uganda,  after reading the electricity amendment bill that was passed by the parliament last month, we found out that there are many gaps which were left address and these are the following,

Gaps in the bill,

• The bill is silent about the transparency in the negotiation and signing of agreements such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), implementation of PPAs and others. The secrecy in the PPAs processes promotes impunity and corruption in the electricity sector.
• The bill is silent about counterfeit/ substandard equipment such as yaka meters, electric wires, poles and others that are danger to consumers and the public.
• The bill is silent on land acquisition. In many cases, government officials mishandle land acquisition processes where they fail to acquire land before the commencement of dams, transmission lines and other which results into high compensations and delays of government projects.
• The bill is silent on protection of health centers from power disconnections.
• The bill is silent about the constant electrocution of the citizens and damage to property.
• The bill does not have any clear clause to provide for investments in off-grid solar and renewable energy services.
• The Bill does not provide against selective and closed bidding. The trend is emerging where must projects for dams and others, government is avoiding open bidding. This undermines competition.

Recommendations.

• This bill should include a clause to provide that that PPAs processes and the PPAs, supply licenses and other electricity contractual documents shall be open to the public.
• The Bill should include a clause providing for a penalty for any licensee who installs counterfeit equipment and equipment not approved by the UNBS.
• The Bill should contain a clause requiring that before commencement of dams and big transmission lines projects; there must be evidence that land where the dam is to be built and transmission line is to be constructed is acquired.
• Ministry of finance has the powers and obligation to pay for all the power bills of public health centers.
• The bill should include a clause providing that a licensee must compensate any person who suffers electrocution and property damage due to power faults including power surges, faulty meters, wires, etc.
• The bill should have a clause requiring to invest in off-grid solar for rural households instead of grid power.
• The Bill should include a provision that any power project above $1 million must go through open bidding.
• The bill should make sure that any person who fails to ensure open bidding in power projects commits an offence.
• Lastly, the bill should make sure that the issue of gender in electricity sector is address. Affordable clean energy should be included in the bill so that women can easily access cheap power for domestic use such as cooking, lighting, among others.

In conclusion, we continue to thank you honorable minister for ceasing support and hope that our recommendations will be put under your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Ms.  Twongirwe Ireen

Executive Director, Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda.

Signatories:

1. African Institute for energy governance (AFIEGO)
2. Youth for Green Communities (YGC)
3. Africa Coal Network ( ACN)
4. Oil Refinery Residence Association ( ORRA)
5. Africa Initiative on Food Security and Environment (AIFE)