In Uganda’s energy sector, where stability is everything and failure is felt instantly, leadership is not just about titles, it is about technical depth, experience, and trust. That is the context in which Eng. Joselyne Rwabogo Rwakooko steps forward. Not as an outsider, but as a system insider who has spent years understanding the very grid she is now tasked to lead.
A trained electrical engineer and registered member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, Eng. Rwabogo brings more than two decades of hands-on experience in electricity distribution, utility reform, and large-scale electrification programs. Her career has been defined by work in revenue optimization, loss reduction, and improving system reliability, the often invisible mechanics that keep a country powered.
Her appointment on May 2, 2026, as Acting Managing Director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited was not accidental. It was a strategic decision to maintain continuity during a critical transition, placing someone deeply familiar with the system at the helm.
“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.”
This statement from Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu frames the appointment not as a disruption, but as part of a broader effort to reinforce discipline and performance within the sector.
Before this role, Eng. Rwabogo served as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer at UEDCL, where she operated at the core of the company’s activities. She led cross-functional teams through complex transitions, worked closely with regulators and government institutions, and focused on improving both service reliability and commercial performance.
Her earlier experience at Umeme further strengthened her technical and operational expertise. There, she managed complex network operations, gaining practical insight into the challenges of maintaining efficiency in a demanding power environment.
Her leadership profile is defined by execution. She is widely regarded as results-driven, with a focus on solving real problems rather than managing from a distance. This is reinforced by her recent attainment of full engineering registration under the Engineering Registration Board Act, further cementing her professional standing.
“These measures are part of proactive stewardship aimed at strengthening the sector.”
As she steps into this role, she succeeds Paul Mwesigwa, who was placed on forced leave to allow for a comprehensive operational review. The transition has been carefully managed, with the Board acknowledging his service while reassuring stakeholders that the company remains stable and fully operational.
That reassurance is critical. Electricity is not just a service, it is the backbone of economic activity. The expectation is clear: no disruption, no instability.
The challenges ahead, however, are significant. Uganda’s electricity distribution network continues to face aging infrastructure, overloaded transformers, and equipment that has exceeded its intended lifespan. At the same time, demand for reliable power is growing alongside the country’s economic ambitions.
The company has reaffirmed its commitment to safety, customer experience, and consistent electricity supply, signaling that operational stability remains a top priority during this transition.
Eng. Rwabogo now stands at the intersection of expectation and execution. Her role is not just to manage, but to stabilize, improve, and rebuild confidence in a system that millions depend on daily.
Her appointment sends a clear message. In a sector where performance matters more than promises, Uganda is leaning on technical competence, institutional knowledge, and proven execution to power its next phase.