Former telecom engineer, driver jailed over mast vandalism

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A former telecommunications engineer and a driver have been convicted and sentenced over the theft and vandalism of telecom installations.

Charles Kasirye, 38, a businessman and former technical engineer with American Tower Corporation, was charged and convicted together with Hamdan Mukwaya, 36, a former driver with ATC and a technician residing in Bwebajja, Kitende in Wakiso district.

The duo had been battling three separate charges, each containing three counts, bringing the total to nine offences before the Makindye-based Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court since 2024.

They entered a plea bargain with the state and pleaded guilty to all the charges. The court subsequently convicted and sentenced them.

Prosecution case

Kasirye and Mukwaya admitted before court that on March 14, 2023, they unlawfully and wilfully entered, removed and tampered with a telecommunication mast located at Wayira village in Luuka district.

They removed equipment bearing code number 605936 belonging to American Tower Corporation. They further removed five LID batteries, one battery starter and 200 litres of diesel. Their entry was without authorisation from ATC and was made with the intention to steal and tamper with the telecom installation.

The duo, together with others still at large, used motor vehicle registration number UAQ 740U, a Nissan Terrano hired from Aggrey Akaturano, to transport the stolen items. The items were later sold to different individuals, from whom they obtained money.

In another charge, the duo admitted that on March 13, 2023, at Entebbe Market, they unlawfully and wilfully entered and tampered with a communication mast by removing five lithium batteries, LGK-150AH, belonging to American Tower Corporation.

Dr Abdulsalam Waiswa, prosecuting on behalf of the Uganda Communications Commission, told court that Kasirye and Mukwaya stole five lithium batteries, LGK-150AH, property of ATC. The brief facts further indicated that the duo and others trespassed by entering the Entebbe mast at Entebbe Market, property of ATC, with the intention to steal and tamper with the telecommunication installation.

Waiswa told court that the plea bargain was entered into without coercion, lies or any form of manipulation.

Plea bargaining involves the accused person agreeing with the prosecution on the charges, conviction and sentence in exchange for a lighter punishment.

During a court session on January 10, 2026, Waiswa read the agreement before court, which the magistrate admitted after the accused persons confirmed it to be true and voluntarily made.

Habitual offenders

Waiswa told court that Kasirye and Mukwaya, together with their associates who are still on the run, are habitual offenders, having previously been convicted and sentenced on similar charges before the same court.

He added that offences involving the removal, vandalism and tampering with telecom installations are on the rise and require firm action through appropriate sentencing.

“These actions have far-reaching consequences and effects as they interrupt network availability and affect the public who use electronic transactions through these networks,” Waiswa added. Further, these actions cost ATC a lot of money to restore the stolen items thus causing financial loss to honest and legitimate service providers.

Waiswa informed the court that Kasirye operated in the field and was fully aware of the effects and implications of vandalism.

He, however, told court that the two appeared remorseful and promised to reform and refrain from engaging in the removal and tampering of any electronic installation.

In mitigation, Kasirye told court that he has two wives and seven children, for whom he is the sole breadwinner and caretaker. Mukwaya has two wives and young children. Mukwaya also told court that he had converted to Islam and was preaching to fellow prisoners as part of his reform.

Sentence

Kasirye and Mukwaya confirmed all that was presented by Waiswa, and the plea bargain agreement was admitted in court. They were represented by a lawyer.

They were each sentenced to 30 months for removing and tampering with telecommunication installations, 30 months for theft and six months for trespass.

“I admit confirm the agreement between the two parties, I find the punishment suitable as agreed upon” the magistrate told court after receiving the plea bargain agreement.

The sentences will run concurrently, less the time spent on remand since May 29, 2024.

The magistrate also ordered that motor vehicle registration number UAQ 740U be returned to its owner.

Landmark cases

After sentencing the duo, Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu described the matters as landmark cases, noting that she had not previously handled plea bargains involving the same individuals on different but related files.

She advised the convicts to use their time in prison to reflect and reform, reminding them that there is life after incarceration.