Police strengthens operations on suspects vandalizing electricity infrastructure
Joint Security Agencies of Flying Squad, Crime Intelligence and the respective territorial units of Mukono, Lugazi, Kassangati, Kyengera and KMP South, conducted several intelligence led operations that led to the arrest of 14 suspects, both vandals and scrap dealers, who were actively involved in the malicious damage and theft of Electricity Power Lines and other utility infrastructure.
The Joint Security Agencies of Flying Squad, Crime Intelligence and different respective territorial units have arrested 14 suspects both vandals and scrap dealers who were actively involved in the malicious damage and theft of electricity power lines and other utility infrastructure.
It should be noted that the vandalizing led to massive power blackouts from the 12th of November 2022 till the 30th of November 2022 in Kivuvu village, Mukono, Nasuti village, Mukono Kijude village and Gayaza.
The facts gathered by police indicate that on the 12th of November 2022 an intelligence-led operation was carried out after two 132 KV transmission lines from the Jinja-based 180 MW Nalubaale and the 200 MW Kiira hydro plant were vandalized leading to massive blackouts in the Central and Western Regions of the Country.
Additionally, transmission lines of the 132KV Owen Falls – Lugogo transmission lines, were also vandalized at Kivuvu village in Mukono district leading to the collapse of 4 towers.
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, an intelligence-led operation was carried out and 4 scrap dealers were arrested.
“These included; Akunu Juliet, a 40-year-old resident of Geregere in Lugazi Municipality; Oloka Joseph of Kitega ward, Safari John, a 40-year-old resident of Geregere – Majani village and Kitata Uthman, a 35-year-old resident of Kitega ward,” he said.
Enanga noted that an assortment of 46 pieces of electricity tower angle bars and pylons, bundles of electric cables and 3 cylinder heads were recovered.
He said a manhunt for the other ring leaders who include; Ndwasi of Nakabisi village, Mukono, Ivan alias Isaac of Kitega in Lugazi, Juma a boda boda rider of Centenary Park – Lugazi, Ssenyange Joseph of Geregere Majani, Peter and Amos (both of Lugazi Municipality) is ongoing.
Regarding other operations carried out in the same line, Enanga explained that On the 29th of November 2022, at around 10 am, another intelligence-led operation was carried out at Social Center Scrap yard in Mengo parish, Kampala Central Division.
He said a total of 6 suspects who included Ssebagala Robert, Maganda Arafat, Kyomugisha Racheal, Naluyima Aisha, and Nabakooza Allen, were arrested and an assortment of approximately 40 tones of angle lines used to construct high voltage power lines were recovered.
“In addition, railway line material, telecom mast angle bars, road construction materials belonging to UNRA and solar panels belonging to KCCA, were also recovered. A serious hunt for 15 other scrap dealers includes; Ssemakula Paul, Mumbere, Ssegona Richard (from Kisenyi scrap yard, Muhamya Julius, Yasin, Mama Bukoto, Geoffrey (from Nakitende scrap yard) and Mirite Mohammad, Hakim, Kavule, Kabwonjera, Mudu Emmanuel, Siraje and Jimmy are actively ongoing,” he explained.
These acts of theft and vandalism of utility infrastructure lead to massive load shedding, which leads to high costs of the replacement and also disrupts the well-being of domestic users and commercial businesses.
