Police dog helps arrest two electricity cable vandals in Mukono

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Police in Mukono on Wednesday (February 25) arrested two suspects in connection with the vandalism of electric cables at Azam Construction Company Limited in Buligobe village, Namawojolo parish, Nama subcounty, Mukono district.

In a statement shared on Wednesday, police said the suspects, identified as Mzee Asheraf and Geoffrey Mubiru, were taken into custody following a swift response to a report made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at about 8:00am.

“A security guard at the construction site discovered that electric cables had been cut and immediately reported the incident to the police, requesting canine support. The Mukono Canine Unit, together with a team of Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) investigators, promptly responded to the scene. After assessing the area, it was deemed suitable for canine tracking,” the statement said.

Police noted that the police dog, Judge, picked up a human scent and tracked it for approximately 300 metres from the crime scene, leading officers directly to the suspects’ residence.

Police noted that the police dog, Judge, picked up a human scent and tracked it for approximately 300 metres from the crime scene, leading officers directly to the suspects’ residence. (Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Police said a search of the house resulted in the recovery of tools believed to have been used to cut the electric cables from the pole, shoes containing soil samples matching those from the crime scene, and other relevant exhibits linking the suspects to the vandalism.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, the statement indicated.

Previous vandalism

In November last year, a man was found dead at the scene of high-voltage transmission tower vandalism in Nakapinyi village, Kasenge parish, Nama subcounty, Mukono district.

Kampala Metropolitan Police 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, and he was fatally trapped during the collapse attempt.

“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

Following the November vandalism, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited 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. It warned that vandalism not only interrupts power supply but is 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.

Minister warns

Reacting to the Mukono vandalism incident, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa 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.

Five suspects have since been charged and remanded over the Mukono vandalism incident.