Eng Richard Matsiko Confirmed as Substantive UETCL Chief Executive

The Board of Directors of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) has officially confirmed Eng. Richard Matsiko as the company’s substantive Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement, released on Friday, January 30, 2026, marks the end of a transitional period for the national bulk power provider. Eng. Matsiko, who has been serving in an acting capacity since July 2025, takes over the mantle following the resignation of former CEO Joshua Karamagi.

Eng. Matsiko is a veteran of Uganda’s energy sector, boasting over three decades of technical and managerial experience. His journey began on March 1, 1991, as a Trainee Electrical Engineer at the now-defunct Uganda Electricity Board (UEB).

When the sector was unbundled in 2001, he transitioned to UETCL as a Principal Protection Engineer. Over the years, he rose steadily through the corporate ladder, serving as Deputy CEO and Chairman of the Power Purchase Agreement Committee before his recent stint as Acting CEO.

The confirmation comes at a critical juncture as UETCL rolls out its new Corporate Strategic Plan 2025–2030. Under Matsiko’s leadership, the utility aims to cement its position as Eastern Africa’s leading electricity transmission company.

Key priorities under the new five-year plan include: Regional Integration: Expanding cross-border power trade and grid connectivity; Infrastructure Modernisation: Overseeing the completion of the new UETCL Towers (the company’s future headquarters) and Reliability: Strengthening the high-voltage national grid (above 33kV) to support Uganda’s industrialisation goals.

“Eng. Richard Matsiko will steer the Company’s strategic direction… towards achieving the company’s vision of being Eastern Africa’s Leading Electricity Transmission Company,” stated Stella Ladona Aseru Wattanga, the UETCL Company Secretary.

During his time as Acting CEO, he provided a steady hand as the company navigated complex projects, including the integration of new generation capacity into the national grid.