After firing theUganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) Board Chairperson Lydia Ochieng Obbo and suspending long serving Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa , Energy Minister , Ruth Nankabirwa has now appointed Eng. Joselynne Rwakakooko asacting Managing Director.
Rwakakooko has been serving as the UEDCL chief commercial and operations officer. Nankabirwa also appointed Ms. Stella-Marie Biwaga, UEDCL interim Board Chair.
Lydia Ochieng Obbo and Paul Mwesigwa were removed from their position due to alleged decline in institutional performance and rising electricity distribution losses.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa said the changes are part of a broader review of UEDCL’s management and operations following concerns about the company’s performance since taking over electricity distribution from Umeme Ltd.
“The government has undertaken a review of the management at UEDCL. 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 UEDCL’s management and operations,” Nankabirwa said.
She added that shareholders have appointed an Interim Board Chairperson, while the Board has named an Acting Managing Director to ensure continuity and stability during the transition period until substantive appointments are made.
Nankabirwa described the shake-up as part of routine governance and oversight measures aimed at strengthening accountability, institutional performance, and service delivery in Uganda’s energy sector.
electricity losses rose from 15 percent when UEDCL assumed control from Umeme Ltd to nearly 19 percent, significantly above the company’s annual target of 13.65 percent.
A sector performance report dated April 21 shows that by the first quarter of 2026, UEDCL recorded energy losses of 18.11 percent, despite increased national electricity demand, customer growth, and rising monthly energy purchases.
The report indicates that electricity demand grew by 28.5 percent between April 2025 and March 2026, while active customer connections rose by 9 percent from 2.45 million to 2.76 million.
Industry experts say that weak infrastructure, overloaded substations, network breakdowns, and limited government investment in distribution systems have undermined UEDCL’s efficiency.
A major hurdle is the urgent need to replace over 47,000 rotten electricity poles across the country, which frequently collapse during heavy rains and storms.
At least 13 major substations have surpassed 80% of their capacity, creating consistent bottlenecks and necessitating load shedding to prevent further grid damage.
Experts have argued that with government tackling the underlying issues leading to increased energy losses even there is a change in the top management the corporation will continue to under perform .
