Man dies vandalising high-voltage transmission tower in Mukono
Owoyesigyire noted that a joint team of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited officers and the Police visited and examined the scene. Statements have been obtained from residents, photographs captured, and task teams are actively pursuing leads to identify and arrest the other suspects involved.
(Courtesy)
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A man has been found dead at an electricity high-voltage transmission tower vandalism scene in Mukono district's Nakapinyi Village, Kasenge parish, Nama sub-county.
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, on November 20, 2025, said the incident is believed to have occurred during the nights of November 18 and 19, 2025, when a group of unknown individuals attempted to vandalise a high-voltage power transmission tower connected to the Namawojolo power sub-station.
“During the act, one of the vandals became trapped within the angle bars of the tower and died instantly. His body, dressed in a blue overall, was found hanging on the structure. The vandalism also caused damage to another tower located about half a kilometre away,” Owoyesigyire said.
He revealed that a case has been registered at Mukono Police Division.
“A joint team of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited officers and Police visited and examined the scene. Statements have been obtained from residents, photographs captured, and task teams are actively pursuing leads to identify and arrest the other suspects involved,” Owoyesigyire said.
He indicated that preliminary findings show that the deceased was part of a group cutting the high-voltage tower structure (pylon), and he was fatally trapped during the collapse attempt.
Vandalised parts of the electricity lines.(Courtesy)
“Efforts are underway to safely retrieve the body for post-mortem and proper profiling. Police are also working to establish the motive, identify all culprits, and ensure their prosecution. Further updates will be provided as inquiries progress,” Owoyesigyire stated.
Power interruption
On Wednesday, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) posted on its social media handles, saying: Some towers have collapsed on the 132kV Owen Falls-Mukono North and Mukono North-Namanve South transmission lines due to vandalism, interrupting supply to the Mukono North substation.
UETCL urged the public to be vigilant and report suspected vandals to the nearest police station. Vandalism not only interrupts power supply but also a danger to human life.
Suspects arrested over vandalism of utility infrastructure are now charged under the Anti–Terrorism Act, 2002, because the vandalism is considered sabotage by the Government.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa on Wednesday said the vandalism, which led to tower collapse and the loss of a life, is an act of outright criminality and economic sabotage.
“Ugandans must understand (that) vandalising power infrastructure is not just theft, it is an attack on national stability, public safety and our economic progress. We will not tolerate it. I urge the public to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious individuals tampering with electricity infrastructure,” the minister said.
She said restoration works are underway with urgency.
According to Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) chief executive officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, vandalising infrastructure hits us where it hurts most.
ERA spokesperson Mariam Nanono told the New Vision Online that the ongoing destruction of power infrastructure significantly undermines Uganda’s goal of achieving 80 per cent national grid connection under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
In Mukono, the collapse of five towers along the 132kV Owen Falls–Lugogo transmission line led to a nationwide blackout lasting over three hours, with prolonged load shedding affecting parts of Kampala for a week.
In Tororo district, 29 towers on the 132kV Tororo–Lira transmission line were heavily vandalised, causing 13 towers to collapse before construction was even completed.
Similarly, the 220kV Bujagali–Tororo transmission line suffered significant structural failures due to vandalism.
In June 2024, the Karuma-Kawanda evacuation line suffered another major setback when it was maliciously destroyed before Uganda’s citizens could even start benefiting from its power generation. This forced the Government to start paying for damages before the power plant could become operational.