A fierce succession battle is brewing at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), with allegations of favoritism, boardroom scheming and behind-the-scenes lobbying threatening to overshadow preparations for the exit of long-serving CEO Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako.
The storm erupted after ERA quietly advertised the Chief Executive Officer position internally, locking out external applicants and triggering accusations that the recruitment process has been tailored to favor a preferred insider candidate.
Waako, whose second and final term expires in March 2027, is expected to leave the regulator after a decade at the helm. But critics within the authority are questioning why one of the country’s most powerful regulatory jobs has been restricted to internal applicants while another top position — Director Internal Audit and Risk — has been opened to external competition.
“This raises serious questions,” an insider told RedPepper. “Why should the CEO job be internal while the audit position is external? What exactly are they trying to protect?”
Sources claim the move is intended to shield a favored candidate from competition from highly qualified professionals outside ERA.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that the board recently approved the creation of three additional directorates, allegedly to manage internal succession politics and neutralize rivals who could threaten the preferred candidate’s chances.
Inside ERA, the race to replace Waako is already in full swing.
Among the names being whispered in succession circles are Human Resources Director Safina Naggayi, Secretary to the Authority Steven Mwandha, Economic Regulation Director Dr. Geofrey Okoboi, Technical Regulation Director Judith Nayiga, Financial Regulation Director Edward Kayiwa, Director Legal Services Obiga Kania and Corporate Affairs Director Julius Wandera.
The power struggle comes as Waako herself is reportedly eyeing a regional landing spot at the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), the Addis Ababa-based body that coordinates cross-border electricity trade among Eastern African nations.
However, insiders point to a major irony hanging over the CEO’s departure plans.
During her tenure, Waako championed a controversial “cooling-off” policy that barred ERA employees from immediately taking jobs in the electricity sector after leaving the regulator.
The policy was fiercely opposed by staff who described it as discriminatory and selectively enforced.
Ironically, many of those same employees recall that in 2016, Waako herself was among the strongest opponents of a similar proposal when she served as Director Technical Regulation.
“Back then she fought it because it could have affected her own career ambitions,” one long-serving officer claimed. “Later, when she became CEO, she pushed the same policy onto everyone else.”
Sources allege the policy resurfaced after Waako attended interviews for the top job at Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL), following a directive from President Museveni. The position eventually went to another candidate.
Employees now wonder whether the same restrictions she imposed on others could complicate her own future career moves once she exits ERA.
Adding fuel to the fire are fresh questions over staff welfare schemes and vehicle loans.
Sources claim directors received vehicle loans reportedly exceeding Shs250 million each, financed internally by the Authority. The biggest controversy surrounds claims that the CEO acquired an SUV worth more than Shs600 million and may seek to retain it after her term expires in 2027.
As intrigue, lobbying and succession battles intensify behind ERA’s closed doors, one thing is clear — the fight for control of Uganda’s powerful electricity regulator has only just begun.
Watch this space!
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