Since the beginning of this year, many city dwellers are experiencing vandalism and theft of their water meters.

In Kampala city, the theft of water meters is reportedly rife in the divisions of Nakawa, Rubaga and Makindye.

According to the victims, the vandalism is done between 2:00 am and 4:00 am, when the owners are fast asleep.

Habibah Nabukenya, one of the victims of this vice, is a businesswoman, residing in Kitebi, Rubaga division. She lost a water meter two weeks ago. In the same locality, Nabukenya says more than 10 homes were evaded and the meters taken.

Police speaks out

Last year, in Gulu district, over 1,000 water meters were stolen. In Luweero district, about 200 water meters were vandalised. The Police admit that the theft of water meters has gone up, advising homeowners to be vigilant.

“We advise those managing apartments or residentials, to be vigilant, through community Policing,” explains Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Police Spokesperson, Kampala Metropolitan.

According to Police, thieves first break the water pipes before vandalising them. Working with the Police, NWSC recently instituted a programme codenamed, WALOPU, in which water field officers move with the Police to arrest those vandalising their infrastructure.

How to protect water meters

Homeowners can build brick chambers, around water metres to protect them against vandalism. “The chambers must be built in areas that are accessible to our field officers, who come to take meter readings,” explains Samuel Apedel, the NWSC senior manager of public relations.

Construction expert, Godfrey Ssempugu also also says the built chamber must be hard to break. This is done through using enough cement, sand and the bricks. “In addition to the chamber, you must put a metallic sheet and lock it up with a strong padlock.

By doing this, it will be extremely hard for the thieves to vandalise the water pipes,” Ssempugu notes. The labour costs for building the chambers depend on the negotiation between the homeowner and the builder.