The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has issued License number ERA/LIC/DIS/015/124 toUganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to manage the concessions formerly managed by Ferdsult Engineering Services Limited (FESL), following the termination of the Licenses that had been issued to FESL.
The official hand over of the operation and management of the network, assets and customers of Ferdsult Engineering Services Limited to the Government-owned Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) was witnessed by key stakeholders at a ceremony that took place at the former offices of FESL in Kyenjojo District on 1st March, 2017.
The ceremony presided over by the Director for Legal and Authority Affairs, Mr. Harold Obiga, on behalf of the Authority, was attended by representatives of the Rural Electrification Agency, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), and the District Leadership of Kyenjojo District. The Director in his remarks noted that UEDCL had not been licensed to take over from FESL only because it was a Government entity but rather because the Authority had followed proper criteria as permitted by the Electricity Act. Mr. Obiga expressed ERA’s confidence in UEDCL’s ability to perform its role in the newly acquired concession areas as required.
The District Leadership of Kyenjojo that included the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), LC V Chairperson, Deputy Police Commander and District Internal Security Officer appreciated FESL for the good service rendered to the community during the company’s tenure, and welcomed UEDCL on board. The leadership pledged to work with the new service provider to ensure sustainability of electricity supply in the area.
In 2007, 2008 and 2011, the Electricity Regulatory Authority issued three Licenses (Licenses No. 066, 086 and 087) to Ferdsult Engineering Services Limited to distribute and sell electricity in the areas of Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kagadi, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Masaka, Bukakata, Kyotera, Mutukula, Kasensero, Mbarara, Kikagati and Ntungamo for a period of 10 years.
On 2nd December 2016, FESL notified ERA of its intention to relinquish all the three licenses with effect from 28th February 2017, citing various reasons. The Authority at its270th meeting held on 20th December 2016 considered the Company’s notice and took a decision to terminate all the three Licenses of Ferdsult Engineering Services Limited; and to appoint UEDCL to take over the concession areas formerly managed by Ferdsult in order to protect the interests of consumers by ensuring continuity of electricity supply.