Kampala, Uganda: A young couple in Katwe Nkere Zone, Makindye Division, has died in a fatal electrocution incident linked to an illegal electricity connection, Kampala Metropolitan Police confirmed Thursday.
The victims, identified as Ssefuma Charles and Namayube Tina, were killed in the early hours of Thursday, July 10, 2025, after Namayube accidentally touched a live wire while hanging clothes to dry.
The exposed wire, illegally strung between rooftops, delivered a fatal electric shock. When Ssefuma attempted to rescue her, he too was electrocuted.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, residents rushed both victims to nearby medical facilities. Ssefuma was taken to Lifeline Clinic, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, while Namayube was transported to Kiruddu Hospital, where she was also declared dead shortly after.
“This incident highlights the deadly consequences of illegal power connections,” said Onyango. “We urge residents to always engage qualified electricians and avoid tampering with electrical systems.”
Police suspect the fatal current originated from an unregulated power line illegally tapped from the national grid, a practice common in informal settlements but widely condemned by both authorities and utility providers.
The incident has prompted fresh calls for vigilance and public awareness, with the police confirming that a community-based safety campaign is being launched to address rising cases of illegal electricity connections in Katwe and other Kampala suburbs.
UEDCL and other utility agencies have previously warned about the lethal risks of unauthorized connections, with scores of Ugandans, particularly in congested urban areas, injured or killed annually as a result.
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