An electrician attends to a customer (PHOTO/Courtesy) KAMPALA — The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has approved new costs that shall be charged on customers seeking to connect power to their homes or business premises.
This is to replace the free government connection policy that was suspended due to the huge sums of money owed to power distributor Umeme.
Mr. Julius Wandera, the Director Corporate and Consumer Affairs at ERA, on Wednesday said the new charges are to ensure that that electricity connections continue for those who have the ability and are willing to pay.
For the no pole single phase connection, the consumers will have to pay Shs576,773 for Wired pre-paid split meter and Shs610,918 for Wireless Pre-paid split meter & PLC.
For No pole three phase connection, consumers will pay Shs2,031,325 for Time of use meter on bare conductor. For the ABC conductor, they will have to pay Shs2,030,083. For One pole single phase connection cost, people have to fork out Shs1,989,135.
The approved new connection cost is inclusive of meter test fees of Ush 8,000 payable to Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Inspection Fees applicable is Ush 41,300.
“All Licensed Electricity Distribution Companies have been directed to make Electricity Connections for Customers who have the financial capacity and willingness to pay for their connections at Regulated Connection Costs, Effective Monday, 7th December 2020. All Licensed Electricity Distribution Companies are directed to publish the ERA-Approved Connection Costs to their customers using customer appropriate platforms including visible charts in their various field offices,” Mr Wandera said.