By Our Reporter

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) sensitized the Police Criminal Investigations Department Officers (CIDs) on the Amended Electricity Act, which was assented to by the President of the Republic of Uganda in May 2022.

The principal aim of the sensitization was to interest and highlight to the Police CIDs the clauses in the Act that are important with respect to apprehending and investigating cases relating to Vandalism of Electricity infrastructure. The sensitization was conducted at the Police Training School Kabalye in Masindi District.

Officiating at the sensitization, the ERA Director for Corporate and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Julius Wandera, noted that it is essential for ERA to sensitize the Police CIDs since they play an important role in apprehending and investigating cases of Vandalism.

Mr. Wandera added that the Police CIDs need to know the various provisions of the amended Electricity Act to enable them to handle investigations on Vandalism with a complete understanding of the provisions of the Act.

He also noted that Vandalism of Electricity infrastructure for scrap and transformer oil as well as the destruction of the Electricity infrastructure out of malice and economic sabotage were significant challenges in Uganda’s Power Sector which result in increased Power Supply interruptions, Energy Losses and increase in Power Tariffs, adding that a lot of money is spent on restoration, repair and maintenance of the infrastructure due to Vandalism.

He urged the Police CIDs to take keen interest in the new clauses of the Electricity Act; and consider them as they execute their duties concerning investigating cases of Vandalism. 

The sensitization was attended by 72 Police CIDs undergoing the CID Induction and Ideological Orientation Course at the Police Training School Kabalye in Masindi District.