The UETCL Board of Directors has appointed Eng. Richard Matsiko as the Acting Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect during its ordinary sitting on Thursday 24^th July 2025This follows the resignation of Mr. Joshua Karamagi, CFA from his position as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UETCL.  The Board of Directors accepted the resignation.

Eng. Richard Matsiko is well respected in the Electricity Supply Industry with a rich background.  He started his career as a Trainee Electrical Engineer at Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) on 1^st March 1991, transitioned to UETCL as a Principal Protection Engineer and rose through the ranks to the position of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, UETCL.

Eng. Richard Matsiko is also the Chairman Power Purchase Agreement Committee and also the Committee charged with delivering the new UETCL Towers (Head Office Building).

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mr. Joshua Karamagi, CFA for his significant contribution to UETCL. During his time as the CEO, Joshua superintended over key projects like the Gulu -Agago 132 kV, Kole -Gulu-Nebbi- Arua 132 kV project and spearheaded the development of the five (5) year strategic plan of the Company, among other achievements. The Board wishes Mr. Joshua Karamagi the very best in his future endeavors.

Please join the Board in congratulating Eng. Matsiko and wishing him success in his new commission.

UETCL launched the inaugural edition of its new corporate newsletter, Grid Connect, on 9th May 2025 at its head office on Hannington Road. A tent was set up at the main entrance, and copies were handed out to staff, visitors, and partners as they arrived—marking the beginning of what promises to be a dynamic platform for sharing ideas, updates, and insights from across the organisation.

Grid Connect serves as a cross-departmental publication, with contributions from staff in all areas of the company—not just engineers, but also colleagues in finance, human resources, IT, administration, and more. This collaborative approach ensures the content reflects the full spectrum of experience and expertise within UETCL.

The first edition features a rich variety of articles exploring critical themes such as UETCL’s strategic direction, evolving approaches to risk management, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the future of the energy sector. These stories, and many others, are designed to inform, engage, and spark conversation both within UETCL and across the wider energy community.

Published every six months and distributed both internally and externally, Grid Connect is positioned as a key communication tool—supporting transparency, promoting knowledge-sharing, and reinforcing UETCL’s leadership in Uganda’s energy sector.

As Grid Connect begins its journey, it offers readers not just updates, but a deeper understanding of the people, ideas, and innovations powering the grid behind the scenes.

On 16–17 April 2025, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) hosted the 32nd Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Steering Committee and the 20th Council of Ministers meetings at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The event brought together delegates from all 13 EAPP member countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The EAPP is a regional platform focused on strengthening cooperation in power generation, transmission, and trade. Its mission is to establish a regional electricity market that promotes cross-border interconnectivity, enhances energy security, and supports economic growth across Eastern Africa.

Uganda’s State Minister for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Okaasai Opolot, opened the first day of the conference alongside CEOs of regional power utilities and development partners. As a participating country, Uganda stands to benefit from increased power exports, improved access to electricity, and greater grid stability through regional integration.

UETCL’s Acting CEO, Eng. Richard Matsiko, welcomed guests and emphasized the progress being made toward regional connectivity. He noted that the EAPP is approaching the first level of interconnectivity between nine countries—progress that requires readiness from member utilities to align with common technical standards.

On the second day, Minister Opolot—serving as Chairperson of the 20th Council of Ministers Meeting—led the session with a solemn moment of silence to honour the late Eng. Lebbi Changullah, former EAPP Secretary General, and Eng. Boniface Gissima Nyamohanga, former CEO of TANESCO, both of whom passed away in recent months. In his address, he commended the region’s advancement, citing a collective generation capacity of 90,000 MW compared to a peak demand of 54,000 MW, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to expanding power interconnections.

By hosting this high-level gathering, UETCL reaffirmed Uganda’s leadership and commitment to a more integrated and resilient regional power system—one that meets the growing energy needs of Eastern Africa.

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) management team undertook a comprehensive field assessment of power requirements at several oil wells and hazardous waste treatment facilities at the Albertine region.

The visit is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the energy sector by ensuring reliable high voltage electricity supply tailored to the unique needs of these critical oil and gas industry developments and installations at Kingfisher Oil Field, which is operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC International) and Tilenga oil fields operated by Total BP in Hoima and Buliisa districts respectively.

The team’s two-day tour began at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda’s (PAU) regional offices in Hoima, where they received a detailed briefing on the progress of oil and gas projects in the area. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU ) team was comprised of Ariko Denis the manager subsurface facilities and Muhumuza Didas the senior stakeholder engagement officer.

The UETCL team led by the company C.E.O Joshua Karamagi; CFA later visited the PS1 (Pumping Station 1) site in Hoima, the starting point of the EACOP pipeline in Uganda. The delegation toured the PS1 facility and observed the pipeline construction activities firsthand. They also viewed the pipes being strung along the Right of Way, offering them a closer look at the project’s progress, an insight on Resettlement Action Plans and the scale of its infrastructure.

The team also visited the 132/33 Kv/3X80 MVA Kabaale Substation located at the Kabalega Industrial Park currently under construction by UETCL. “We recognize the vital role that high voltage electricity plays in the efficiency and safety of oil extraction infrastructure, heating the crude oil along the pipeline given its waxy nature and hazardous waste management power needs,” said Joshua Karamagi.

UETCL`s goal is to provide tailored high voltage energy solutions that not only meet current demands by the Oil and gas infrastructure but also for the anticipated future needs as industries continue to evolve at the industrial park in the Oil and gas value chain.

The delegation then proceeded to Luweero Industries Waste Management Company, where Operations Manager Bolton Namanya guided them through a field study. Luweero Industries plays a crucial role in handling waste generated from crude oil drilling at the Kingfisher Oil Field, which is operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC International) The company focuses on sustainable waste management practices to minimize environmental impact and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

In a proactive initiative the second day of the tour, UETCL management team undertook a comprehensive field assessment of power requirements at Tilenga oil wells, Pump station 2 and it`s associated facilities operated by Total BP.

During the assessment, the team toured various sites, engaging with facility managers and technical staff to understand their power consumption patterns, peak demand times, and specific challenges related to their high voltage power supply.

These visits were part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the energy sector by ensuring reliable high voltage electricity supply tailored to the unique needs of these critical operations.

The management team returned from the site visits with a wealth of information that will inform strategic planning sessions focused on enhancing grid connectivity and developing customized solutions for high voltage energy needs. The insights gained will drive initiatives that promote efficiency, sustainability, and safety across all operations.

H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda has commissioned the 132kV Mirama-Kabale transmission line and associated substation. The project is aimed at increasing power reliability and supply to the greater Kigezi region.

The commissioning was part of the Presidential performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation in Kigezi Sub-region given the critical role played by electricity in socio economic transformation.

“The commissioned high voltage power substation is aimed at boosting industrialization and job creation in this area. People must be reminded that while they celebrate the commissioning of this electricity, they have a role to play in conserving the wetlands because the water used in generating this electricity at Jinja originates from the wetlands where small rivers get the water they pour to River Nile through other rivers like Kagera,” President Museveni said.

He emphasised the importance of conserving wetlands, saying they act as reservoirs for water that is always used in generating hydropower electricity.

The Hamuko, Kabale Substation, Rubanda District electricity project, which traverses through Ntungamo, Rukiga, Kabale and Rubanda districts, was financed by the Islamic Development Bank with a loan of USD 83.75 million, under the oversight of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The Ministry was also pleased to highlight that most project-affected persons (PAPs) had been compensated, with 2,467 paid out of the 2,529 individuals.

In her speech, Hon. Canon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from the local leadership and communities of the Kigezi region. She highlighted the project’s significance in enhancing power stability, supporting rural electrification, and driving socio-economic development.

“Today, we are witnessing the commissioning of a transformative project that will significantly enhance power stability in South western Uganda, particularly in the Kigezi sub-region. This project will in addition to delivering electricity; create opportunities for industrial growth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s overall economic development,” said Hon. Nankabirwa.

According to the CEO of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) Mr. Joshua Karamagi;CFA the successful completion of the project to ensure energy security for the Kigezi region has been made possible as a result of a collaboration with various stakeholders including; the Government of Uganda, the Islamic Development Bank, the local community and leadership and Colenco Consulting Ltd. (Nigeria), CCC-GTSCC Consortium (Nigeria), and Ceylex Engineering PVT Ltd. (Sri Lanka).