In Summary: The arrests come amid wider concerns about the destruction and theft of power infrastructure, which the Electricity Regulatory Authority identifies as one of several causes of outages across Uganda. Beyond disrupting electricity supply, vandalism increases repair costs, delays network expansion and exposes communities to serious safety risks.
Wakiso, Uganda — Police in Wakiso District have arrested eight suspects in a joint operation targeting electricity vandalism in Kyengera Town Council and surrounding areas, as authorities intensify efforts to protect Uganda’s power distribution infrastructure from theft and deliberate destruction.
The operation, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, was conducted between November 4 and 5, 2026, by Territorial Police in Nsangi, working alongside officers from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and MUMU Power Solutions Ltd, aimed at combating electricity vandalism and other related offences in the area.
The eight suspects arrested have been identified as Naluwanga Clare, Nakumba Winnie, Sulaiman Titagia, Sseguya Edward, Kavuma Christopher, Kimbugwe Yasin, Lubowa Muhammad and Kabuguza Geoffrey.
Mr Owoyesigyire said the suspects are currently detained at Kyengera Police Station pending presentation before the Utilities Court to answer the relevant charges.
The arrests come against the backdrop of growing concerns about the theft and destruction of electricity infrastructure, including transformers, power cables, conductors and supporting poles, which are essential to the country’s electricity distribution network.
UEDCL has urged the public to report suspicious activities involving electricity installations, including broken or leaning poles, damaged wires, tampered transformers and unauthorised interference with power connections.
The utility says cooperation between communities, security agencies and electricity sector stakeholders is essential in identifying offenders and protecting infrastructure.
The latest operation in Kyengera reflects that approach, bringing together police, ERA and MUMU Power Solutions Ltd. in an effort to combat electricity vandalism and related offences.
Police commended the collaboration and warned members of the public against vandalising electricity infrastructure, saying such acts disrupt service delivery and cause significant financial losses.
Investigations into the Kyengera arrests are ongoing, according to ASP Owoyesigyire.
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