Police in Nakasongola are hunting for unidentified thieves who cut down two high-voltage electric and network poles, stole various electric wires, and left the area in total darkness.
This incident happened on December 3, 2024, at around 11:00 am at Lubenge Swamp in Kakooge town council, Nakasongola district.
While speaking to the media on December 5, 2024, a UMEME technical officer (Edward Kwolekwa) disclosed that one of his friends and a local in the area called and informed him about the power blackout in the area, which made him come and carry out an inspection to find out the cause.
Kwolekwa added that upon inspection he discovered that electric wires worth UGX 20 million had been stolen, leaving the areas of Katuugo, Kakooge, Wabigalo, and neighboring villages along the Kampala-Gulu highway in total darkness.
’’It is so sad and a shame that we are striving to build a better Uganda, but we have some evil culprits wanting to take us back. These wires are so expensive, and what was done by these culprits is a loss both to the locals and UMEME,’’ Kwolekwa emphasized.
Sam Twiineamzaima, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and revealed that a case against these culprits has been opened after Kwolekwa informed Kakooge police about this incident.
Twiineamazima added that investigations are underway, and once these culprits are caught, they will be charged for vandalism and malicious damage of government property.
“People should stop carrying out such heinous acts that put their lives in danger and also endanger service delivery because once things go south, you can easily lose your life due to pettiness and greed,’’ Twiineamazima said.
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In 2024, Uganda has faced a troubling rise in vandalism incidents, particularly targeting electricity infrastructure.
On November 15, 2024, a police operation in Mukono District led to the arrest of five suspects involved in stealing electricity wires. The suspects were caught red-handed with stolen materials and UMEME uniforms. This operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat a ring of thieves linked to multiple theft incidents in the area.
As communities continue to suffer from the repercussions of such acts, there is a pressing need for collaborative efforts between law enforcement, local governments, and utility companies to safeguard essential services and ensure public safety.
