The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | An Indian businessman in Kampala is part of nineteen suspected vandals of electricity infrastructure arrested by the joint anti-vandalism task force in Kampala. The joint operations involving the Uganda Police Force-UPF, Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF, and power distributors Umeme commenced last week within Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts following the increasing cases of vandalism targeting electricity infrastructure and illegal connections.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga has identified some of the suspects as Ronald Atuuloh, an Indian national and businessman from Muyenga area dealing in electronics, Nicholas Ssekabembe from Mbalwa in Kira municipality, Joseph Ssempijja from Kanaba-Ndeje, Phillip Mukasa and Lydia Nagadya.
The arrest of the five suspects over the weekend followed the arrest of 14 others mid-last week within areas of the Lower-Nsoba zone in Mulago, Kawempe division, and Nganda in Nansana municipality in Wakiso district. Those in custody at Wandegeya police pending their court appearance are Stephen Ssekibizi, Peter Kabilango, Ronald Kakooza, Samuel Nsubuga, Joseph Katende, Rusifa Kagwa, Daniel Kimbugwe, Liz Nambozo, Masitula Nantongo, Denis Karamira, and Jawuhara Najuma.
Stephen Illongole, Umeme’s Media Relations Manager says that in the second operation in areas of Kisugu, Kansanga, and Muyenga, they recovered an assortment of electrical wires and Umeme appliances.
“We continue to warn those who perpetrate these acts of vandalism that their acts are not only inconveniencing the economy, but they should know that it is criminal in nature.
Ugandans should know the dire consequence of these actions,” Illongole warned. Enanga says that the operations will expand to other parts of the country like Iganga, Jinja, Isingiro, and Mbarara where they have received cases of vandalism.
The suspects will appear before the utility court at Buganda road. The new law suggests that any convicted person of vandalism or illegal connection is liable to a fine of Shillings 1 billion or imprisonment of 12 years or serve both punishments.
Records from the Ministry of Energy indicated that the government is losing billions of money while repairing damages in over 300 cases of vandalism on electricity infrastructures within the country that have been registered within the last two years.
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