PROFILES: Top Faces at ERA Driving Uganda’s Electricity Sector to Triumph
A Collage of the Top Officials at Electricity Regulatory Authority
A saying by an American scholar Gamaliel Bennis that; ‘Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality’, replicates the competences, leadership talent and commitment that has over the year been exhibited by the Top Management at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) towards developing Uganda Energy Sector.
Established in 2000, ERA is a statutory body mandated by the Electricity Act, 1999, to issue electricity Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Sale and Import Licenses, set License conditions and ensure compliance to License conditions by Licensees. ERA is also mandated to establish a tariff structure, approve rates of charges among other functions.
Committed to ensuring a sustainable Electricity Supply in the country, ERA has over the years raised Uganda’s flag in the energy sector for the landmark achievements not only in the great lakes region but at a continental level.
Not surprising, the fourth consecutive year in 2021, Uganda’s electricity sector emerged the Africa’s best regulated across a number of key metrics, according to the African Development Bank’s 2021 Electricity Regulatory Index.
Uganda topping the rankings consecutively for four years came as no surprise to many, as ERA spends significant time on consultation and analysis, including regulatory impact assessments of key interventions and follow-through to ensure full implementation.
TODAY , WE UNLEASH THE FACES BEHIND THESE SUCCESSES?
Dr. Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi: Chairperson
Dr. Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi is a qualified Economist with varied experience in administration, teaching, research, and policy formulation. She has trained in various fields including economic Planning and policy, financial modeling for Public-private projects, Governance and enterprise risk management. She has 22 years of University teaching experience gained at the Islamic University in Uganda and Kyambogo University.
She has served on the Board of Directors of Private Sector Development Center Mbale and the Eastern Private Sector Development Center Ltd. She also served on the Board of Governors of various secondary schools. Dr. Kanaabi has made several academic and professional presentations in the areas of economics, governance, gender, HIV/AIDS, career guidance; project Planning, poverty and development.
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Eng. Waako is the CEO of the ERA, a position since 2017. Her position involves providing strategic direction to the ERA Secretariat to ensure that the organization effectively delivers on its mandate efficiently.
She possesses over 30 years of work experience in and immense knowledge of Uganda’s Electricity sub-Sector, 15 of which have been at Senior Management Level. She holds a MSc. and BSc. Electrical Engineering, both from Makerere University, and a Master of Business Administration in Leadership from Walden University, USA.
Eng. Waako is a Registered Engineer with the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers and the National Engineers Registration Board; as well as a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) of New York, United States of America. She was awarded the Excellent Performance Engineers Award by the National Engineers Registration Board at its 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2019. During Eng. Waako’s tenure as Chief Executive, ERA has had various National and International Recognitions and Awards.
Dr. Geofrey Okoboi: Director Economic Regulation
Prior to joining the Authority, Dr. Okoboi worked as Research Fellow and Head of Sectoral Department at the Economic Policy Research Centre at Makerere University. Earlier, Dr. Okoboi taught Economics at Kyambogo University, was a socioeconomic researcher at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA Uganda) and had a first job in a Commercial Bank. Dr. Okoboi has published several peer reviewed papers in international journals.
CPA Edward Iruura: Director Financial Services
CPA Iruura is the Director Financial Services at the Electricity Regulatory Authority.
The Directorate is ERA’s arm that undertakes both corporate financial services and external/sub-Sectoral financial service functions; In line with the functions of the Authority as highlighted in the Electricity Act, 1999.
CPA Iruura is a Professional Accountant with over 17 years of continuous work, leadership and experience in both the private and public sectors. He has strong expertise in Financial Management Systems, Process and Compliance at a senior management level with proven experience in design, implementation and monitoring financial and administrative control systems.
CPA Iruura holds an MBA of Edinburgh Business School–Heriot Watt University Specializing in Strategic Planning. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) – UK and a Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). He also holds a Diploma in Business Studies of Makerere University Business School.
He is a graduate of the Senior Management Leadership Program offered by Strathmore Business School – Nairobi, Kenya and Nanyang Technological University Singapore.
Before joining ERA in 2015, CPA Iruura was Finance Director/Head of Finance at ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) for a period of 7 years, taking overall responsibility of financial management direction/leadership and guidance and ensuring AAIU’s overall strategic objectives are met within the framework of the Financial Management policies and procedures established internationally and the requirements of local and international law. CPA Iruura also worked as Senior Accountant/Deputy Chief Finance Officer at Aga Khan Education Services; Finance Manager at American Refugees Committee; Audit Manager at TEAM & CO Certified Public Accountants; Revenue Assurance Manager at Celtel Uganda Limited and Financial Management Specialist for USAID Strengthening Decentralization in Uganda (SDU).
Harold R. Obiga: Director Legal Services
Obiga is the Director Legal Services at the Electricity Regulatory Authority. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all subordinate Courts. He holds the LLM (QMUL), LLB (UDSM), ACIArb, ICSA, and PGDip Law – LDC.
Obiga has Extensive Legal Experience in the Public and Private Sectors, in particular; the Energy Sector, Banking and Finance, Telecommunications, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Power Infrastructure Development, Regulatory Due Diligence, Compliance and Regulatory Advisory.
His area of specialty extends to Negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements, Inter-Governmental Power Development Agreements, Cross Border Power Interconnection, Wheeling, Electrification and Energy Regulatory Matters.
He has represented ERA and the Government of Uganda in several Regulatory and Structuring processes of Energy Projects both in Uganda and East Africa.
Obiga is a Trainer of Regulators, Utilities, Financiers and Local Development Banks on Corporate and Regulatory Governance, Power Purchase Agreements, Dispute Resolution, Monitoring and Compliance, Governance, Sovereign Support and Financing of Power Projects and Regulatory Frameworks.
Julius Wandera; Director Corporate and Consumer Affairs
Wandera is responsible for Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Performance review in line with the Electricity Regulatory Authority Vision and Mission, and the Government of Uganda’s Strategic Aspirations; as well as Communication and Engagement of Stakeholders and Consumer Protection.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Wandera served as Manager Communication in which role he was responsible for the Communication, Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Protection functions of the Authority.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University, an MBA from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), and has trained in Corporate Communication at the prestigious Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands.
Wandera is a seasoned Communication Practitioner with over a decade of experience in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. He possesses vast knowledge and insights on the Electricity Sub-Sector. He is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CPRP) courtesy of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA); a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing – UK; and a Member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU).
During his 11 (Eleven) Years of service to the Authority, Mr. Wandera has effectively been the Mouthpiece of the Electricity Regulatory Authority. He has presided over constructive engagement with key stakeholders; instituted a framework on Consumer Protection; and utilized the Communication function for the attainment of ERA’s Strategic Objectives.
Eng. Joseph Oteng Otogo: Member
Eng. Otogo joined the Authority in July 2014 with over 20 years of experience in Engineering. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Electrical Power from Brunel University; a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (University of North London); and a Higher National Certificate in Electronics (City of Westminster College). For 13 years, Eng. Otogo worked as a Senior Technical Support Engineer at Alcatel-Lucent, between 2000 and 2013. He also worked as Network Engineer with Fibernet UK Ltd (1999-2000) and as Testing and Commissioning Engineer with Marconi Communications (1996 – 1998). Eng. Otogo is fervent about energy economics, power markets, and power generation and transmission security.
Joan Rwabyomere: Member
Ambassador Joan Rwabyomere is a qualified lawyer with LL.B (Hons) from Makerere University, Master’s Degree in International Trade and Investment and a Masters of Business Administration in Oil and Gas Management. She has a wealth of experience in politics, management, diplomacy, business and leadership both in the private and public sectors, at national, regional and international levels. She was the Uganda’s High Commissioner to London (2006 – 2013), and to Nigeria (2000 – 2005).
She has successfully served on the boards of various organizations, including Uganda Electricity Board, Civil Aviation Authority, National Enterprise Corporation, and Women in Diplomatic Service. Ambassador Joan served as a Member of Parliament and as a Junior Minister.
Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu: Member
Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu is a Professor of Economics. He holds a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in Economics and an Honorary Fellowship of Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (FUIB, Hons).
He has vast experience in Leadership of Boards and Organizations and is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Centenary Bank. He also served as a Chairman, Academic Board for African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) based in Nairobi, Kenya; Chairman of Microfinance African Institutions Network (MAIN) based in Lomé, Togo; Chairman of Coffee Marketing Board and Member of Finance Commission of Caritas Internationalis based in the Vatican.
He is the former Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University; a Care-Taker Vice Chancellor for Ndejje University; Chairman of Council, University of Kisubi (UNIK); Vice Chairman Council, Muteesa I Royal University (MRU); Member, Governing Council representing Universities of Eastern Africa of the Association of African Universities based in Accra, Ghana, and Member Advisory Board, Centre for Environmental Economics and Policies in Africa (CEEPA) based in Pretoria.
He was a Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) and Dean of Faculty of Economics and Management (FEMA) of Makerere University. He is a Fellow of Uganda National Academy and reputed for several publications in the field of Economics.
Prof Ddumba-Ssentamu is a seasoned administrator with great integrity. He is highly adaptable with great attention to detail and a responsible person with adequate knowledge of corporate governance.
Eng. Eriasi Kiyemba: Member
Eng. Kiyemba is an Electrical Engineer. He holds an MSc (Power Systems) from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), and an MSc (Electrical Engineering) from Moscow Electric Power Engineering Institute (MEI). He has 32 years of work experience in Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry.
He was the Managing Director/CEO of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL), General Manager- Transmission Division, Manager Transmission (Operations & Maintenance), Principal Control Engineer, Principal Control Engineer, Ag.Principal Control Engineer, and Senior Protection Engineer, in Uganda Electricity Board (UEB).
He is the Chairman Board of Directors of Elite Energy Consult Ltd. He is a Corporate Member of Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, UIPE, (PE/467) and the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE, (No. 40073989).
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