By Spy Uganda
Government has fired all the staff of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), after merging the Agency into a department under the Ministry of Energy.
REA is a semi-autonomous body established by an Act of Parliament, to operationalize Government’s rural electrification function. It functions as a secretariat of the Rural Electrification Board (REB) which carries out the rural electrification responsibilities, as defined in the Electricity Act of 1999.
The Agency was established as a statutory instrument in 2001 (no. 75), but started its functions in July 2003.
The Ministry of Energy confirmed the firing of REA staff in a notice partially stating; “Reference is made to Statutory Instrument No. 29 of 2021 .d Cabinet decision to mainstream Rural Electrification Agency to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.”
It adds, “This is to inform you that your employment contract will be terminated with effect from 19th October 2022. The above Government decision may lead to absorption of staff with requisite qualifications and experience in the mainstream Public Service on new terms and conditions where vacancies may exist within the approved Rural Electrification Department structure.”
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa says that the workers who were employed on contracts will be absorbed in her ministry but immediately after the expiry of their contracts, they will hand over office and any other government property in their possession to immediate supervisor as stipulated under section 6.10 of the REA, Human Resources Manual regarding the handing over and taking over of office.
