By KT Reporter
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has partnered with security agencies in Teso to address the rising cases of vandalism and illegal electricity connections in the sub-region. Eastern ERA Supervisor, Kenneth Muhumuza, emphasized that these activities not only cost the Government billions of shillings in lost revenue but also pose significant risks to lives.
Muhumuza highlighted that a single transformer at a substation costs over UGX 2 billion, while each transmission tower is valued at approximately UGX 200 million. He raised concerns over the alarming frequency of power theft, which endangers vulnerable community members, especially children.
“Some individuals resort to using live wires, leading to tragic accidents where they lose children, opting to bury them at night to avoid detection,” Muhumuza explained. Despite the recent legal reclassification of vandalism as an act of terrorism, local communities continue engaging in these activities, causing significant financial losses to the Government.
He noted that while the Government has installed small transformers to enhance power availability, ongoing theft and vandalism continue to undermine these efforts. Muhumuza also pointed out that the country has not yet achieved full visibility of its electricity network, making monitoring difficult.
Local leaders, including Paul Omer, the Mayor of Soroti City East, and Simon Peter Edoru, the Soroti District LCV Chairperson, raised concerns over frequent power outages, especially during the rainy season. They linked these outages to increased criminal activity.
Omer also expressed frustration over the lack of Government compensation for damages caused by power outages, which often affect household and business appliances such as refrigerators and computers. Closing the discussion, Soroti Resident District Commissioner Paul Eseru criticized the confusion caused by multiple electricity agencies. He noted that locals and leaders often find themselves being referred to different offices when seeking solutions.
Soroti Resident City Commissioner Peter Pex Paak echoed similar sentiments, stating that an explanation from ERA was needed.
In response to these concerns, Muhumuza assured stakeholders that ERA is actively working to address electricity-related challenges in the region. Meanwhile, the security committee reaffirmed its commitment to tackling vandalism and illegal power connections-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
