ERA Launches CEO Search Amidst Transparency Concerns

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) Board has initiated the search for its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will succeed Ms. Ziria Tibalwa Waako when her tenure concludes in March 2027. This high-stakes recruitment process, however, has already become a subject of concern for some within the organization who allege a lack of transparency and potential favouritism.

Sources suggest that the current search, advertised internally, might be a mere formality, with a faction of senior management reportedly favouring a specific director for the role. Compounding these concerns is the external advertisement of a different senior management position, held by an individual considered capable of addressing long-standing issues like alleged abuse of office and board capture within ERA.

ERA management has defended the internal advertising of the CEO position as standard practice, aiming to provide opportunities for internal talent. They stated that external advertising typically occurs if sufficient internal competition or expertise is not found. The authority also downplayed any potential impropriety regarding the external advertisement for another leadership role, characterizing it as a strategy to balance organizational continuity with renewal.

The qualifications for the CEO role are rigorous, requiring a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Administration, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Law, Management, or Environment. Candidates must also possess professional body membership, registration with the Engineers Registration Board of Uganda, extensive knowledge of the electricity supply industry, and at least 15 years of experience, with seven in senior management.

The CEO’s mandate includes executing the company’s objectives, developing strategic plans aligned with national energy policies, and overseeing regulatory functions. ERA itself was established from the 1999 power sector reforms, which aimed to improve financial viability and attract investment. Recent months have seen turmoil in the sector, particularly with the issues at Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), including an increase in power losses and persistent blackouts, leading to the forced leave of its Managing Director and other senior managers.