The Legal Framework for Consumer Protection in the Uganda Energy Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARA TION .............................................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ v

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................ !

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... !

1.1 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Objective of the study ............................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Specific objectives .................................................................................................................... 3

1.5 Research questions ................................................................................................................... .4

1.6 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 4

1.7 Area and scope of the study ..................................................................................................... .4

1.8 Literature review ...................................................................................................................... .4

1.9 Arrangement of Chapters .......................................................................................................... 8

1.9.0 Chapter l ................................................................................................................................ 8

1.9.1 Chapter 2 ................................................................................................................................ 9

1.9.2 Chapter 3 ................................................................................................................................ 9

1.9.3 Chapter 4 ................................................................................................................................ 9

1.9.4 Chapter 5 ................................................................................................................................ 9

v

CHAPTER TW0 ...................................................................................................................... ... 10

AN ANALYSIS OF THE LAWS RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION IN

UGANDA UNDER ENERGY SECTOR .................................................................................. 10

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 10

2.1 The Electricity Act 1999 ......................................................................................................... 1 0

2.2 Contract Act 2010 ................................................................................................................... 11

2.3 The Petroleum Supply Act 2003 ................................................... .......................................... 12

2.4 The Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act Cap 327 ....................................................... 13

2.5 The Sale of Good and Supply of Services Act, 2017 .................................................... ......... 14

2.6 The U nited Nations: Guidelines for Consumer Protection (as expanded in 1999) ........ 15

2.7 The UN Guidelines and Consumer Rights ................. ....................... ........................................ l5

2.8 Tort Law and the Consumer. ................................................................................................... l9

2.9 Co1nn1on Law Doctrines ......................................................................................................... 20

2. 10 Conclusion ........................................................... ......................................................... ......... 22

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................... 23

INSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK GOVERNING CONSUMER LAW AND

PRACTICE: A COMPLIANCE OVERVIEW ........................................................................ 23

3.0 Introduction ........................................................................ ... ................................................... 23

3. 1 Co1rununication Co1runission ........................................ ............................................................ 23

3.2 Electricity Regulatory Authority .............................................................................................. 24

3.3 Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) ..................................................................... 24

3.4 The Uganda Consumer's Protection Association (UCPA) .................... ................................. 25

3.5 The Judiciary .................................................................... ...... .................................................. 26

3.6 Conclusion ......................... ..................... .. ............. .................................................................. 27

vi

CHAPTER FOUR ................................ ....................................................................................... 29

THE EFFECT OF ENERGY CONSUMER LAW IN UGANDA AND REMEDIES

AVAILABLE FOR ENERGY CONSUMERS ......................................................................... 29

4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 29

4.1 Heavy Reliance on Penal Sanctions to enforce compliance ................................................... 29

4.2 Formal Complaint Not Provided For Under the Act .............................................................. 30

4.3 The gaps in the law still glaring .............................................................................................. 30

4.4 Weak Enforcement Mechanism of the Law ............................................................................ 30

4.5 Rigidity in Forms Required in Contract Affect Justice .......................................................... 31

4.6 Unfair trade practices .............................................................................................................. 31

4.7 Remedies available to energy consumers in case their rights violated ................................. 32

4.8 Darnages for breach ................................................................................................................. 32

4.9 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 35

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................. ............................................ 36

FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS .............................................. 36

FINDINGS .................................................................................................................................... 36

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 36

5 .l Recon1n1endations ........................................................................... .. ...................................... 3 7

5.2 Refonns of the law .................................................................. ................................................ 38

5.2. 1 Doctrine of privity ................................................................................................................ 38

5.2.2 Exemption I Exclusion Clauses ........................................................................................... 38

5.2.3 Settlement of disputes .......................................................................................................... 38

5.2.4 Rernedies ............................... .. ............................................................................................. 39

5.2.5 lmprisonment ....................................................................................................................... 39

5.2.6 Inspectorates ......................................................................................................................... 39