Minister explains sacking of UEDCL board chairperson, ED forced leave

KAMPALA - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) Can. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, explained why they had opted to sack the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) board chairperson, Lydia Ochieng Obbo and sent the utilities Managing Director, Paul Mwesigye, on forced leave.

Nankabirwa, in a statement released on Saturday morning, said the Chairperson of the Board had been terminated, and the Managing Director had been placed on forced leave to allow for a comprehensive review of the Company’s management and operations.

“The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) wishes to inform the public and stakeholders that the Government has undertaken review of the Management at the UEDCL. 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’s management and operations,” Nankabirwa said.

The Ministry noted that to ensure continuity of operations and stability in service delivery, “the shareholders have appointed an interim board chairperson. The Board has, in turn, appointed an Acting Managing Director to oversee the operations of UEDCL during this transition period. These interim arrangements will remain in place until the vacant positions are substantively filled.”

The New Vision online has learnt that Stella-Marie Biwaga Cingtho, a lawyer by profession, advocate of the High Court of Uganda with over 16 years’ experience and holds a Masters of Laws Degree in Oil and Gas, Post Graduate Diploma in Governance and Development, among other qualifications, has been appointed the interim board chairperson.

By press time, the name of the acting MD was not yet out since the board was reportedly still meeting.

“The Ministry emphasises that these actions are part of routine governance and oversight procedures aimed at strengthening institutional performance, accountability, and service delivery within the energy sector,” Nankabirwa added.

She further said, “The public and all stakeholders are hereby assured that electricity supply and distribution services will continue uninterrupted during this period. The Ministry appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders as Government works to strengthen governance and operational effectiveness at UEDCL.”

Minister declines Nabbanja directive to stop UEDCL probe

In December last year, Nankabirwa declined a directive by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to halt investigations by the board of the UEDCL.

In her letter dated Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and in response to Nabbanja’s letter dated December 3, 2025, Nankabirwa said she had directed the board to investigate UEDCL top management and compile a comprehensive board report and implementation plan, which she said would address the identified lapses that had been raised by the Electricity Regulatory Authority in their report.

“My ministry is now awaiting the report of the board of UEDCL on their inquiry and findings, which will inform further decisions and action,” Nankabirwa stated.

In her letter to the Prime Minister, the Minister said, “I refer to your letter dated December 3, 2025, on the process of planned termination of UEDCL senior management staff. In the letter, you directed that the board of UEDCL halt all processes it is undertaking or intends to undertake related to the planned ‘massive’ termination of UEDCL Senior Management Team (SMT); and require the Ministry to furnish you with a copy of the ERA report on UEDCL performance for the past six months,” Nankabirwa said.

The Minister informed Nabbanja that, “my ministry, in accordance with Cabinet Minute 351 (CT 2022), did not renew the Concession and Privatisation agreement of Umeme Limited. As of April 1, 2025, the UEDCL assumed full responsibility for operating the country’s electricity distribution network, following transfer from Umeme. The transfers aimed to strengthen the reliability, transparency and efficiency of electricity supply for all Ugandans.”

Nankabirwa said a comprehensive assessment of UEDCL performance over the last eight months conducted by ERA had identified significant operational and managerial gaps within the company.

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▪️UEDCL board chairperson sacked, MD sent on forced leave

“These gaps have negatively affected service delivery and include; a decline in electricity reliability, reflected in frequent outages, voltage fluctuations and slow restoration supply; delayed integration of mandatory ICT systems and reliance on smaller platforms that undermine credibility; prolonged delays in the processing and completion of new connections; Procurement gaps, culminating in delays in acquisition of essential repair maintenance, and operational materials leading to slow execution of approved upgrade, expansion and restoration of the network; Human resource governance issues that have weakened staff effectiveness and contributed to non-responsiveness to customer needs,” Nankabirwa stated.

The Minister said, “In the interest of ensuring the continuity and reliability of the electric supply industry and in accordance with my obligations under the Electricity Act, Chapter 157, I raised the concerns identified and issued instructions to the Board of UEDCL.”

“The Board was required to conduct a board-led inquiry and compile a comprehensive board report and implementation plan to address the identified lapses, considering the associated risks to system security, safety, revenue integrity and sustainability of the electricity supply industry. My ministry is now awaiting the report of the board of EUCDFL on their inquiry and findings, which will inform further decisions and action,” Nankabirwa added.

Fight for power deal 

Umeme’s 20-year electricity distribution concession in Uganda officially ended on March 31 this year, following the Government of Uganda’s decision not to renew the deal.

However, sources at UEDCL told New Vision that bigwigs were allegedly fighting to introduce a new investor to manage the lucrative electricity distribution network.
“It’s a lucrative sector, and everybody wants to have a share of it. They have now even reached an extent of frustrating UEDCL operations by triggering panic and job unrest to create a situation where we are labelled failures,” the source said.

Recently, a controversial internal memo from top management shared with staff claimed UEDCL was unable to manage the entire network and was, henceforth, engaging the energy ministry to explore the possibility of an investor and what they termed the PPP arrangement.

Sources noted that up to five companies, said to be fronted by about four current and former ministers plus other shady figures, were eyeing the lucrative deal. Two of the companies allegedly flew out sections of stakeholders for an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai to lobby for consideration.