Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko, UEDCL’s Acting Managing Director approved the move
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Finally, their fate has been sealed after months of uncertainty, with the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) interim management committee terminating the contracts of seven suspended senior managers as part of a sweeping leadership restructuring and operational performance review at the state-owned utility.
The dismissals mark the latest chapter in a turbulent period for UEDCL following its takeover of electricity distribution operations from Umeme Ltd earlier this year. The affected officials include Protaze Tibyakinura, the former head of Engineering; Boniface Barongo, Human Resources; Jonan Kiiza, Corporate Affairs; Justine Nakagiri Ssemwanga, Internal Audit; Barbrah Kyomuhendo, Technology; Beatrice Tumuheirwe, Human Resources Business Partner; and Geoffrey Musafu, Applications.
Approved and sealed
The terminations were approved by the interim leadership under Acting Managing Director Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko and the newly constituted board chaired by Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho. The seven managers had been suspended in May 2026 pending investigations into operational shortcomings and management performance.
At the heart of the decision were serious concerns over UEDCL’s performance after assuming control of the national electricity distribution network. According to sector reports, electricity distribution losses increased sharply from about 15 percent under Umeme to nearly 19 percent within months of the transition.
Shs193 billion financial loss
The spike translated into an estimated financial loss of Shs193 billion and raised questions about the company’s operational efficiency and preparedness to manage the country’s power network.
The increase in losses coincided with a rise in customer complaints over frequent power outages, delayed fault response times and service disruptions across several parts of the country. Energy sector officials argued that the utility was failing to meet key performance indicators and regulatory targets expected during the transition period.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development subsequently launched a comprehensive review of UEDCL’s operations, citing the need to strengthen institutional performance, improve accountability and address management gaps that had emerged following the takeover. The review reportedly exposed weaknesses in planning, coordination and execution among some senior managers.
Recruitment mishap
Officials were also criticized for shortcomings in the recruitment and transition process that preceded the handover from Umeme. Senior management was accused of failing to put in place the necessary systems, personnel and operational structures required to ensure a seamless transition. These failures, according to government officials, contributed to the challenges currently facing the utility.
Beyond performance concerns, the dismissals are also viewed as part of a broader governance overhaul within UEDCL. The terminated managers were widely perceived within the company as allies of former Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa, who was forced out alongside former board chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo following an executive directive from President Yoweri Museveni.
The latest shake-up signals the government’s determination to restore confidence in UEDCL and improve service delivery. With new leadership now firmly in charge, attention is expected to shift toward reducing electricity losses, improving network reliability and ensuring the utility meets the expectations that accompanied the transition from Umeme.
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