Police arrest eight electricity vandal suspects in Kyengera
Electricity vandalism has become one of the biggest threats to Uganda's power sector. According to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), vandalism costs the country billions of shillings annually in replacement of stolen equipment and lost revenue, in addition to prolonged blackouts in affected communities.
Police said the suspects were arrested after intelligence reports linking them to theft of cables, transformer oil, poles and other electricity materials in Kyengera Town Council and surrounding areas.
WAKISO - The territorial police in Nsangi, in collaboration with officers from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and MUMU Power Solutions Ltd, have arrested nine suspects in separate operations targeting electricity vandalism in Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso district.
Officers conducted the Kyengera operation between November 4 and 5, 2026, to combat electricity vandalism and related offences that have continued to disrupt power supply in Wakiso District and surrounding areas.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, disclosed that during the operation, eight suspects were arrested.
Owoyesigyire disclosed the suspects as Claire Naluwanga, Winnie Nakumba, Sulaiman Titagia, Edward Sseguya, Christopher Kavuma, Yasin Kimbugwe, Muhammad Lubowa, and Geoffrey Kabuguza.
“The suspects are currently detained at Kyengera Police Station pending presentation before the Utilities Court to answer the relevant charges,” Owoyesigyire said.
“We commend the collaboration between security agencies and electricity sector stakeholders in the fight against electricity vandalism,” he added.
Police said the suspects were arrested after intelligence reports linking them to theft of cables, transformer oil, poles and other electricity materials in Kyengera Town Council and surrounding areas.
Investigations are ongoing to establish whether they are part of a wider network that buys and sells vandalised materials to scrap dealers.
In Kyengera, residents have in recent months complained of frequent power outages, which police attribute to repeated vandalism of transformers and distribution lines.
On several occasions, UETCL has strongly warned the public against vandalising or attempting to access electricity transmission infrastructure. High-voltage installations carry dangerous currents and can result in serious injury or death.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, disclosed that during the operation, eight suspects were arrested.
Previous cases
In April this year, KMP said its territorial police in Mukono District arrested two suspects in connection with alleged electricity vandalism and impersonation.
The incident occurred in Kasai, Mukono District. It is alleged that the two men, dressed in UEDCL uniforms, gained access to Emerald Primary School under the pretext of taking meter readings.
At the time of arrest, the suspects were identified as Paul Kakooza, a 24-year-old electrician, and Bernley Tenywa, a 32-year-old electrician.
Police said the case highlighted a new trend where vandals impersonate utility workers to gain access to schools, health centres and other public institutions.
On March 16, 2026, an unidentified male suspect was electrocuted to death after he climbed a transmission tower on the Owen Falls–Lugazi Transmission Line in Lugazi, Buikwe District.
In November last year, a man was found dead at a high-voltage transmission tower vandalism scene in Mukono District's Nakapinyi village, Kasenge Parish, Nama Sub-county.
Owoyesigyire said on November 20, 2025, that the incident likely 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 substation.
“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,” he said.
Police have urged members of the public to report suspicious activities around electricity infrastructure to the nearest police station or to the electricity companies, saying community vigilance remains key in fighting vandalism.
The eight suspects arrested in Kyengera and Wandegeya are expected to be arraigned before the Utilities Court, which handles electricity-related offences under the Electricity Act. If convicted, they face heavy fines and imprisonment.
Police said operations against electricity vandalism will continue in the Kampala Metropolitan Area and other parts of the country.