Police in Kabale District have transferred five suspects to Kampala for prosecution following their arrest in connection with the vandalism of electricity infrastructure in the region.The suspects are accused of stealing pylons and bolts from the New Mirama-Kabale-Karukara Transmission line, an offense that violates section 86, subsection 1(c) and 2 of the Electricity Act.
The suspects include as Elias Mazima, a student at Kabale University; Fazil Kiwanuka, a resident of Kabura; and Poisiyano Twebaze, a scrap dealer from Kabale Town.Others are Anna Ntegyerize, a scrap dealer from Central Division, Kabale Municipality and John Mare, a resident of Nkombe cell, Kyanamira Sub-county.
They are implicated in the theft of critical materials from the transmission line, which is yet to be commissioned by President Museveni.The theft of over 3,000 kilogrammes of tower angle bars and bolts, valued at more than 45 million shillings, has significantly hampered the progress of the New Mirama-Kabale transmission line project.
This infrastructure is crucial for addressing power outages and promoting industrial growth in the region, making the vandalism particularly damaging to the area’s development goals.Kabale’s Criminal Investigation Department (OC-CID) District Officer, Hkim Mukama, confirmed the transfer of the suspects to Kampala where they will face charges in the Standard and Utilities Court.
Under section 86 of the Electricity Act, those convicted of stealing or vandalising electricity infrastructure can face penalties of up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to 20,000 currency points, or both.
Further violations could lead to up to 12 years imprisonment and fines of up to 50,000 currency points, as prescribed under section 89 of the Act.
Mukama also revealed that the primary suspect, believed to be an employee of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), is still on the run. The investigation continues as police work to apprehend this individual.
The ongoing vandalism of electricity infrastructure, including this recent theft, has raised serious concerns about the security of critical projects and the impact on Uganda’s energy development.
The Ugandan government and UETCL have called for increased vigilance and stronger enforcement to prevent further losses and ensure the timely completion of vital energy projects.
