The Electricity Regulatory Authority-ERA has directed Umeme to stop unauthorized Yaka deductions following complaints from a section of members of the public after getting less Yaka unit than what they pay for.
In a statement released by Julius Wandera, the Director of Communication at ERA, he says investigations into the matter have kicked off and proper action will be taken.
“The Electricity Regulatory Authority has received complaints from electricity customers about unexpected deductions from prepaid (Yaka) vended amounts in March and April 2021 by Umeme Limited,” reads part of the letter.
“This uncommunicated action has left consumers with less energy unit compared to what is expected based on the approved tariff structure.”
“By adjusting monthly lifeline units and imposing fixed recoverable amounts on consumers, Umeme Limited is implementing tariff structure different from that approved by the regulator and is in violation of the Electricity Act 1999,” the statement further reads.
“Umeme Limited has been directed to immediate stop this action as ERA conducts investigations into the matter.”
However, Peter Kaujju, the Umeme spokesperson said the deductions are from an error in December when some customers received more than what they had paid for, adding that the deductions were meant to correct the error.
“In December 2020, some customers received more units (excess credit) than they paid for. In light of the above, the excess credit was recovered during the March/April 2021 transactions,” Kaujju said.
He added that the excess credit for those Customers who have not yet purchased tokens, will be recovered from their next transactions and all the affected customers will be/have been notified by SMS.
