Is your electrician certified? Imposter fined Shs400,000 for wiring house
Kampala- The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court has fined a man Shs400, 000 for wiring a client’s house yet he is not certified to carry out such work.
The court held that Mr Christopher Tumuhimbise, a resident of Makindye Ssabagabo, contravened Section 88 (1) and (2) of the Electricity Act, 1999.
During the hearing on Thursday at the Buganda Road, Mr Tumuhimbise had claimed he had a permit.
According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, which certifies electricians, there are many reports of unqualified people wiring either homes or business premises.
The Electricity Installation Permits Regulations, 2003 provide that only persons with either a university degree in the relevant field, a higher technician’s diploma, an ordinary technician’s diploma or master craftsman’s certificate qualify to wire premises.
To address the danger posed by uncertified persons, the authority says it has been sensitising the public, via radio, public gatherings and social networking sites like Facebook, not to allow uncertified persons to wire their premises.
The Judiciary launched the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife court in May to handle power, water, wildlife and standards cases.
The court is headed by Chief Magistrate, Mr James Eremye Mawanda, assisted by Grade One magistrates Gladys Kamasanyu and Marion Mangeni.
This court is meant to ensure electricity, water, wildlife and standards cases are prosecuted swiftly.
According to ERA, the court will be instrumental in reducing offences in the electricity supply industry.
This, the regulator says, will translate into improved reliability and quality of service for electricity consumers.
During the launch of the court, electricity Distribution Company Umeme’s deputy managing director, Mr Sam Zimbe said the Judiciary had been instrumental in dealing with cases of illegal tapping of electricity, which, partly contributed to the decrease in the vice from 40 per cent to 19 per cent.
