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(Image courtesy of Daily Monitor)
Government has effected sweeping leadership changes at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), terminating the contract of Board Chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo and sending Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa on forced leave as part of what officials describe as governance measures.
In a statement issued on May 2, 2026, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa said the decision followed a review of the company’s management and operations.
“In this regard, the services of the chairperson of the Board have been terminated, and the Managing Director has been placed on forced leave to allow for a comprehensive review of the company,” the minister said.
To ensure continuity, shareholders have appointed an interim board chairperson, while the board has named Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho as Acting Managing Director to oversee operations during the transition.
The Ministry emphasised that the changes are part of routine oversight aimed at strengthening institutional performance, accountability, and service delivery, assuring the public that electricity distribution will not be disrupted.
The developments come at a critical time for UEDCL, which took over the national electricity distribution licence from Umeme Ltd in April 2025 following the expiry of the latter’s 20-year concession.
However, the transition has faced scrutiny. Sources within the Energy Ministry indicate that electricity losses, commonly attributed to technical inefficiencies and illegal connections, have risen from about 15 per cent at the time of takeover to approximately 19 per cent. The Managing Director is reportedly under scrutiny for failing to stabilise operations following the exit of Umeme.
The latest action follows earlier concerns raised by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), which prompted an internal administrative review into UEDCL’s performance. The board had previously been tasked to investigate operational challenges and provide a time bound response.
Source - Daily Monitor
