Okaasai Opolot talking to MPs recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) has opened a special office for local manufacturers, to bring services closer to them.
Speaking during the official launch of the office, Okaasai Opolot, the State Minister for Energy said the manufacturers, who are bulk buyers of electricity, are supposed to be given special attention by the power distribution utility.
“Manufacturers fall in the category of essential electricity consumers. Their needs therefore must be attended to specially,” he said, on the sidelines of a dialogue between the manufacturers and UEDCL.
He further pointed out that manufacturers, whose members number to more than 2,000, consume up to 70% of national electricity output, making them a special group.
“Additionally, the manufacturing sector contributes about 16% of Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP), and generate about two million jobs. They also generate up to 30% of the country’s total tax revenue,” he said.
He hailed them for their business acumen, adding that they deserve all support that could be extended to them to enable them boost productivity.
Aga Sekalala Jr, the UMA Board Chairman hailed UEDCL for the move, adding that proximity to the manufacturers make the utility one that takes customer care seriously. “This will drastically reduce the time it takes to have our queries ironed out, thus saving us time and money,” he said.
Uganda’s manufacturers are crucial consumers of electricity, since their electricity usage is directly linked to national economic growth, income generation, and job creation.
This makes stable and affordable energy supply a national priority to support industrialization and manufacturing competitiveness.
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