50 arrested in crackdown on power theft in Mbale

Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Umeme has arrested more 50 people in Mbale city on the second day of the ‘Kombowa’ operation in Mbale region.

Umeme and police launched the operation ‘Kombowa’ within the Mbale region and started by arresting 20 people in Pallisa district on Wednesday in connection to power theft and illegal connections.

The officials proceeded to Mbale and by press time, they had netted 50 people for illegal connections. The operation was conducted in the areas of Namatala, Namakwekwe among other areas.

Peter Kauju, the Umeme cooperate communications manager said they will continue to crackdown on all illegal power users until they minimize on the risks that are associated with power theft.

John Nuwamanya, the metering services manager appealed to people to stop the act of stealing power saying that the act has contributed greatly to the losses that are incurred in the country. He said the power stolen in Mbale area contributes to 35% to the losses that the organization incurs.

Rashid Kabigi and Ali Dago, some of the power users in Mbale decried the methodology by Umeme that they are using to crackdown the illegal users.

According to them, some of the people arrested were connected by Umeme officials who should also be arrested.

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