Joan Mutiibwa now REA acting Chief Executive Officer

Joan Kayanga Mutiibwa has been appointed acting Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Mutiibwa, who was last week appointed by Energy minister, Dr Goretti Kitutu, replaces Godfrey Turyahikayo whose contract expired recently after serving for almost 20 years.

Mutiibwa has been the acting Project Manager after the agency suspended Eng. John Turyagenda.

Sources say High Court last month clear the Energy minister to enforce the new Statutory Instrument; Establishment and Management of the Rural Electrification Fund (REA) Instrument, S.I No. 62 of 2020 which scraps off the current Board and the position of Executive Director.

The instrument will also see the management structure in the agency change and the position of the Executive Director scraped off and replaced with that of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) competitively appointed by the new board.

The new CEO shall then serve a five-year term of and be reappointed for one more term. The CEO will be eligible for appointment if he or she is 55 years old or below on the first appointment and shall cease to hold office once he or she attains the age of 60 years.

Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was established as a statutory instrument in 2001, but started its functions in July 2003.

About 5,400kms of medium voltage and 3300kms has been constructed by REA. During the construction, priority is given to district headquarters, health centers, schools, and agro based industries. So far REA has electrified 109 districts in the country; and the three that have not been reached include; Buvuma, Kotido and Kabong.