Business 2 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Government Terminates UEDCL Board Chair, Places MD on Forced Leave Amid Performance Issues
Uganda's Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has terminated the UEDCL board chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo and sent Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa on forced leave following a management review. An interim board chair and acting MD have been appointed to ensure uninterrupted electricity services. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-uedcl-board-chair-was-terminated-md-sent-on-forced-leave-5444096
The Ugandan government has implemented governance changes at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), terminating board chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo and placing Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa on forced leave.
Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa announced the decisions in a statement on May 2, 2026, after reviewing the company’s management and operations. These steps aim to enhance performance, accountability, and service delivery in the energy sector.
To maintain stability, shareholders appointed an interim board chairperson, while the board named Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho as acting Managing Director. These arrangements will hold until permanent replacements are made, with assurances of continuous electricity supply.
UEDCL took over electricity distribution from Umeme on April 1, 2025, inheriting a network with growing demand from 986.4MW to 1217.7MW between April 2025 and March 2026. Customer numbers rose 9% to 2.76 million, but energy losses reached 18.11% against a 13.65% target.
Sources attribute rising losses—from 15% to 19%—to inadequate infrastructure investment, overloads, and breakdowns inherited from Umeme. This follows prior tensions, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja blocking earlier sacking plans and an internal review ordered last year.
The ministry stressed no staff dismissals have occurred from ongoing inquiries, urging avoidance of speculation.
Source: Daily Monitor