Business 2 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Stella-Marie Biwaga Named Interim UEDCL Board Chair Amid Leadership Shakeup
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has appointed lawyer Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho as interim board chairperson for Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), replacing Lydia Ochieng-Obbo whose contract ended. The move coincides with the managing director being placed on forced leave for a governance review. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/who-is-incoming-uedcl-board-chair-stella-marie-biwaga--5444164
Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa announced the appointment of Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho as interim board chairperson for UEDCL, effective immediately. This follows the termination of Lydia Ochieng-Obbo’s contract and places Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa on forced leave to enable a full review of the company’s management and operations.
The minister emphasized that these steps aim to maintain service stability and strengthen governance, accountability, and performance in the energy sector. An acting managing director has been named, though their identity was not disclosed, with interim roles in place until permanent appointments.
Background on Biwaga
Stella-Marie Biwaga is an advocate of the High Court of Uganda with more than 16 years of legal experience. She holds a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas, a Postgraduate Diploma in Governance and Natural Resources Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University.
Her expertise spans strategy development, gender equality, human rights, policy advocacy, litigation, and project management. She currently serves on boards including Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), National Pipeline Company Uganda Ltd (NPC), and Action Africa Help International, where she chairs the Uganda Advisory Board. She is also active in organizations like Uganda Law Society, FIDA-Uganda, and Women in Energy and Extractives Network.
Previous roles include positions at National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda, Women Leadership Development, Ssebunya Turyagenda & Co. Advocates, FIDA-Uganda, and Ethiopia Women Lawyers Association.
About UEDCL
Established under the Electricity Act 1999 as part of power sector reforms, UEDCL took over electricity distribution from Umeme Ltd on April 1, 2025, ending the 20-year concession. It inherited expanded capacity from 300MW to over 2,000MW, retained existing tariffs, and absorbed Umeme staff into 2,712 positions.
Governance issues at UEDCL carry significant national implications due to its critical role in power distribution.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)