In Summary: Twelve suspects, including adults and juveniles, have been arrested in an intelligence-led security operation targeting criminal gangs accused of vandalising water meters, electricity cables and lightning arresters in Bugiri.
Bugiri, Uganda — Police have arrested 12 suspects in an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal gangs accused of vandalism, theft and attacks on residents in Bugiri Municipality and surrounding areas.
The operation, conducted from 11 am to 5 pm on Wednesday, followed complaints from residents and institutions over the theft of water meters, electricity wires, lightning arresters and other property.
ASP Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson, said the operation targeted groups suspected of involvement in repeated vandalism and theft.
“We conducted an intelligence-led disruptive operation targeting criminal gangs involved in vandalism, theft of water meters, electricity wires and lightning arresters,” Kasadha said.
Police said that in October 2026, more than 25 water meters and taps belonging to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) were vandalised or stolen.
During the same month, approximately 200 metres of aerial bundled conductor (ABC) electricity wires were reportedly vandalised in Namakoko Village, Nankoma Sub-county.
In November, lightning arresters were reportedly vandalised at Imuli Government Primary School and at homes in Musongora Village. Police also reported the theft of approximately five metres of copper cable running beneath a CCTV camera in Musongora.
Investigators further linked one of the suspected gangs in Namakoko Village to the kidnapping and torture of a young man who was allegedly held for two days in an illegal camp locally referred to as a “basement”.
The victim was reportedly robbed of his money before being rescued by Police working with local leaders.
Following the incidents, a joint security team comprising Police, the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), UPDF reservists and Local Council leaders launched operations targeting suspected gangs and locations identified through intelligence.
The targeted groups included the Soweto gang in Kikabala, B13 gang in Busanzi Cell, Obama Street gang at the Bus Park, 360 gang in Musongora and the Namakoko gang in Namakoko. The operation also targeted three scrap stores in Bugiri Municipality.
Police said the breakthrough came after local leaders in Musongora apprehended three juveniles allegedly cutting electrical cable using pliers.
The juveniles were also accused of stealing money from a nearby restaurant and assaulting its owner. During questioning, they reportedly admitted involvement in the vandalism of lightning arresters, water meters, taps and copper cables.
According to Police, the suspects claimed they sold copper and aluminium to scrap dealers for approximately Shs20,000 per kilogramme, using the proceeds to buy food, clothes and alcohol.
They reportedly told investigators that their activities extended to Bugobi in neighbouring Namutumba District and identified other alleged accomplices and scrap dealers suspected of buying the stolen materials.
Acting on the information, the joint security team conducted cordon-and-search operations in the targeted locations, arresting 12 suspects, including adults and juveniles.
Recovered exhibits included 30 tricycle padlocks, vandalised NWSC taps and pipes, damaged or vandalised electricity wires belonging to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), marijuana, breaking implements and other property suspected to have been stolen.
“We arrested 12 suspects, including adults and juveniles, and they will be charged accordingly,” Kasadha said.
At Namakoko, Police reportedly recovered breaking implements and suspected stolen property before destroying the illegal structure allegedly used to confine and torture victims. However, the suspects linked to the hideout had reportedly fled before the security team arrived.
At the Soweto gang hideout in Kikabala, officers also recovered marijuana and breaking implements.
Kasadha said investigations were continuing, with Police pursuing suspects who escaped arrest, including alleged gang leaders and scrap dealers suspected of purchasing vandalised public property.
“We are tracing for other suspects at large, including the leaders of the gangs and the scrap dealers who buy vandalised government property,” he added.
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