Uganda appoints Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko as acting UEDCL managing director

Key facts

• Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko appointed acting MD of UEDCL on May 2, 2026.
• She replaces Paul Mwesigwa, who was sent on forced leave.
• Board chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo was removed by Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa.
• Stella Marie Biwaga Cingtho named interim board chairperson.
• Energy losses rose from ~15% at transition to nearly 19%, above the 13.65% target.
• UEDCL took over distribution from Umeme Ltd on April 1, 2025, after a 20-year concession.
• National generation capacity stands at 2,052.6 MW; demand exceeds 1,200 MW.
• Rwakakooko has over 20 years of experience in electricity distribution and utility management.

A sudden leadership overhaul at Uganda’s power distributor

The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has installed Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko as acting managing director, effective May 2, 2026, replacing Paul Mwesigwa who was placed on forced leave. The appointment, announced by interim board chairperson Stella Marie Biwaga Cingtho, comes just days after a nationwide blackout intensified public anger over power outages and service reliability. The shake-up extends to the board: Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa terminated the contract of chairperson Lydia Ochieng-Obbo, clearing the way for a comprehensive review of management and operations. The minister described the changes as necessary administrative measures to strengthen accountability, efficiency, and customer service.

Rwakakooko’s rapid rise from Umeme executive to acting MD

Rwakakooko, a registered engineer and member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, previously served as UEDCL’s chief commercial and operations officer for the past year. She was one of Umeme’s former top executives who joined UEDCL’s senior management during the transition from the private operator. At Umeme, she held senior roles including head of network operations for nearly six years and customer service engineering manager for over five years. Colleagues describe her as a results-oriented leader known for practical problem-solving and operational discipline. The board cited her track record in institutional transformation and operational efficiency as key to her appointment.

Mounting pressures: energy losses, infrastructure decay, and a sensitive transition

UEDCL inherited an aging distribution network burdened by overloaded transformers, weak protection systems, and equipment beyond its design lifespan. indicate that energy losses have climbed from about 15% at the time of transition to nearly 19%, well above the national target of 13.65%, raising alarm within government and regulatory circles. Despite rising demand—now surging to over 1,200 MW—and a growing customer base, the distributor has struggled with infrastructure strain, overloaded substations, and system instability. The nationwide blackout that preceded the leadership changes underscored the fragility of the network.

Government oversight intensifies as UEDCL enters its first full year post-Umeme

UEDCL took over electricity distribution from Umeme Ltd on April 1, 2025, after the latter’s 20-year concession ended. The company now manages a larger generation capacity of 2,052.6 megawatts and has maintained existing tariff structures, including lifeline and time-of-use options. The latest developments signal intensified government oversight in the power distribution sub-sector, with UEDCL’s performance seen as critical to Uganda’s energy stability and economic growth. The internal review ordered by the Ministry of Energy preceded the governance changes, amid concerns over performance and management.

Board reassures public of stability amid leadership transition

In a statement dated May 2, interim chairperson Stella Marie Biwaga Cingtho said the board “extends its sincere appreciation to Mwesigwa for his dedicated service to UEDCL over the years as Managing Director.” She added: “The Board wishes to reassure the public, partners, and all stakeholders that UEDCL remains stable and fully operational. The Company has strong institutional systems and a capable workforce, and will continue to deliver on its mandate with excellence. This leadership transition will not disrupt ongoing operations.” Biwaga emphasised that UEDCL remains firmly committed to safety, customer experience, teamwork, integrity, and innovation as it continues to provide reliable electricity supply and services to the people of Uganda.

Rwakakooko’s vision: utility reform, revenue optimisation, and customer-centric transformation

On her professional LinkedIn profile, Rwakakooko describes herself as a senior energy sector executive and electrical engineer with over 20 years of experience. She writes: “I bring a proven track record in utility reform, revenue optimisation, loss reduction, and customer-centric transformation, with deep experience in managing grid operations and large-scale electrification programmes.” She adds that her work has focused on strengthening operational discipline, improving service reliability, and delivering measurable commercial outcomes. She is committed to advancing energy access, supporting national development priorities, and building resilient, financially sustainable and future-ready power utilities.

Outlook: a test of operational discipline and political will

Rwakakooko takes office at a particularly difficult time for the state-owned utility. The combination of aging infrastructure, rising losses, and heightened public expectations creates a steep challenge. Her promotion from within signals continuity during a sensitive transition period, but the government’s willingness to back her with resources and autonomy remains an open question. The coming months will test whether the new leadership can reverse the deterioration in service quality and restore confidence in Uganda’s power distribution system. The stakes are high: energy stability is a linchpin of the country’s economic growth, and any further failures could trigger deeper political repercussions.

The bottom line

• Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo Rwakakooko appointed acting MD of UEDCL on May 2, 2026, replacing Paul Mwesigwa on forced leave.
• Energy losses have risen to nearly 19%, far above the 13.65% target, amid aging infrastructure and rising demand.
• The board chairperson was sacked and a new interim chair appointed as part of a governance shake-up ordered by the Energy Minister.
• Rwakakooko brings over 20 years of experience from Umeme and UEDCL, with a focus on utility reform and customer service.
• UEDCL faces a critical test in its first full year after taking over from Umeme, with political and economic stability at stake.