KAMPALA, UGANDA: At least sixteen (16) suspects have been arrested and 22 others on the run over the continued vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Mukono and surrounding areas.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the suspects include both vandals and scrap dealers actively involved in the malicious damage and theft of Electricity Power Lines and other utility infrastructure in Kivuvu village, Mukono, Nasuti village, Mukono Kijude village Gayaza, which led to massive power blackouts.
“An assortment of exhibits was recovered from scrap dealers in Lugazi Municipality, Wakimese zone in Kyengera, social centre scrap yard, Nakitende scrap yard, and Kisenyi scrap dealers. A serious hunt for 22 other vandals and scrap dealers in on,” Enanga said in a Monday police statement.
Enanga explains that according to facts gathered, “Two 132 KV transmission lines, from the Jinja-based 180 MW Nalubaale and the 200 MW Kiira hydro plant were vandalized, leading to massive blackouts in the Central and Western Regions of the Country.”
“Additional transmission lines of the 132KV Owen Falls – Lugogo transmission lines, were also vandalized at Kivuvu village, in Mukono district, leading to the collapse of 4 towers. Again, on 13.11.2022, the Owen Falls – Mukono North – Mulago transmission line, was also vandalized at Nasuuti village in the Mukono district, which forced one tower to collapse to the ground.”
In another incident, Enanga says 4 scrap dealers were arrested in Mukono and Lugazi areas, who he identified as Akunu Juliet, a resident of Geregere in Lugazi Municipality; Oloka Joseph of Kitega ward, Safari John alias SO, a resident of Geregere – Majani village and Kitata Uthuman a 35-year-old resident of Kitega ward.
Here, Enanga says an assortment of 46 pieces of electricity tower angle bars and pylons, bundles of electric cables and 3 cylinder heads were recovered, adding that a manhunt for the other ring leaders is ongoing.
The forces spokesperson bemoaned the acts of theft and vandalism of utility infrastructure which he said leads to massive load shedding, which leads to high costs of the replacement and also disrupts the well-being of domestic users and commercial businesses.
He, therefore, urged the public to remain vigilant and tip off police of any suspicious acts of theft and vandalism of power infrastructures within their areas as this would help curb the growing vice.
“We implore all members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around power installations in their areas, to the local councils and nearest security agency.”
“As the Joint Security Agencies, we remain committed to maintaining the safety of all utility infrastructure in the country and will aggressively pursue, all perpetrators causing significant damage to utility infrastructure,” Enanga concluded.
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