Kabale man killed by dangling electric cable

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Police in Kabale district were on Sunday, August 17 still investigating the shocking death of a pedestrian who was electrocuted after attempting to take home a dangling electric cable.

The cable, which had been cut by an unknown person, remained hanging by the roadside. On his way to Kabale town, the man was seen struggling to pull it down in an apparent attempt to carry it away.

Unfortunately, it was a live cable that struck him, killing him instantly.

Police identified the man as Silvester Byaruhanga.

In a statement, Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesman, said the case had been recorded as a suspected death by electrocution.

The incident occurred on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at around 8:20am along Bugongi Road cell, Lower Bugongi ward, Kabale Northern Division.

“An electric wire got cut, and it remained hanging along the road. As Byaruhanga moved along the road, he came across the hanging wire, and he opted to cut it to take it away. In the process, he was electrocuted and died instantly,” Maate said in the statement.

One bystander, identified only as Collins, alerted police, who arrived at the scene, documented the case, and transported the body to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for examination.

It remained unclear whether Byaruhanga had intended to sell the cable or reuse it at home.

Tampering with electric cables in Uganda is a serious issue with both legal and safety implications. Offenders involved in such acts, including illegal connections and vandalism of infrastructure, face potential prison sentences and heavy fines.

These activities have caused significant financial losses to the government and extensive damage to vital infrastructure.