Richard Matsiko leads Uganda Electricity Transmission Company

Grid leadership finally locks in as a long-time engineer takes full control of Uganda’s power backbone while the system strains under growth, regional ambitions, and years of transmission headaches.

Leadership confirmation at UETCL

• Richard Matsiko takes the CEO seat at Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd.
• Acting label finally dropped after months.
• Board signoff formalized the move.
• State grid operator gains stability.

Engineer background and credibility

• Richard Matsiko came up through the old Uganda Electricity Board.
• Started as a trainee engineer in 1991.
• Climbed through protection and planning roles.
• Built deep institutional memory.

Transmission system pressure points

• Grid still chokes power evacuation.
• Karuma hydropower output remains constrained.
• Isimba generation also hits limits.
• Bottlenecks drag industrial uptake.

Strategic direction ahead

• Richard Matsiko fronts the Corporate Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
• Focus shifts to grid reinforcement.
• Regional interconnectors get priority.
• Reliability upgrades anchor the roadmap.

Regional power trade ambitions

• Uganda eyes exporter status in the Great Lakes region.
• Kenya and Tanzania sit high on the list.
• Rwanda and eastern DRC matter for growth.
• Capacity gaps still cap earnings.

Leadership transition context

• Richard Matsiko follows Joshua Karamagi, CFA.
• The predecessor exited after the financial reforms.
• The balance sheet steadied during his tenure.
• Governance uncertainty finally cools.