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
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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
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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