Govt Cracks Whip at UEDCL as Board Chair Fired, MD Sent on Forced Leave

The government has moved decisively to shake up leadership at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), firing the board chairperson and sending the managing director on forced leave in a sweeping governance overhaul.

In a press statement issued Saturday, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said the actions follow a comprehensive review of the company’s management and operations.

Ms Lydia Ochieng-Obbo has been serving as Board Chair while Mr Paul Mwesigwa the Managing Director.

The move indicates rising scrutiny over performance and accountability in Uganda’s power distribution chain.

Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu said the changes are part of routine governance and oversight measures aimed at strengthening institutional performance and improving service delivery.

To steady the ship, shareholders have appointed an interim board chairperson, while the board has installed an acting managing director to run day-to-day operations during the transition. The interim leadership will remain in place until substantive appointments are made.

The ministry sought to calm public anxiety, assuring Ugandans that electricity supply and distribution will continue uninterrupted despite the shake-up.

The developments mark one of the most significant interventions at UEDCL since Umeme’s exit, as authorities push to tighten control and boost efficiency in the energy sector.