KAMPALA – Government has August 16 fully constituted the seven-member Electricity Disputes Tribunal to hear and determine electricity-related complaints.
EDT was established by the Electricity Act in 1999 after the liberalistion of the power sector and has been operating with only three members since 2006.
And following the death of one of the members, Eng. Moses Musaazi in 2018, the Tribunal has been lacking the requisite quorum of three members, to effectively and efficiently carry out its statutory mandate.
The chairman of the tribunal remains Mr Charles Okoth Owor, while Mr. Anaclet Turyakira is his vice-chairman.
Eng. Irene Muloni, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development August 16, presented the other five new and additional members before the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart katureebe to take oath before embarking on their new appointments.
“Hon. Chief Justice, today I have the pleasure of presenting to you five new members who I have tasked to go and serve our people on the Electricity Disputes Tribunal”, Ms Muloni said.
The new members are Eng. Dr Terry Kahuma, Mr Judy Mike Mudoma, Ms Harriet Wanyoto, Mrs Christine Muhindo and Eng Paul Mubiru.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe welcomed the move to have a fully constituted EDT urging that a growing economy generates a myriad of business disputes, which may require such specialized tribunals.
“To facilitate a fast, and efficient resolution of industry related disputes, we need such tribunals. Unresolved disputes lead to long delays in growth as business comes to a standstill awaiting justice”, said Justice Katureeba.
Justice Katureeba added that about 3-4 trillion shillings is tied up in the commercial court due to unresolved disputes and that such Tribunals are needed in the entire country not only to speed up justice but to also facilitate business and growth.
Mr. Charles Okoth Owor, the chairperson EDT said the demise of their colleague in 2018 had negatively impacted the ability of the Tribunal to function.
“We are pleased to have new members to the tribunal. The EDT can now resume work on the backlog of complaints that have accumulated over time since we lost our colleague Eng. Dr Musaazi”, said Okoth Owor.
The EDT is mandated to hear and determine all electricity-related disputes that are referred to it except criminal cases and has all powers of the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction.
