Police net one over electrical installation in Wandegeya city suburbs
Owoyesigyire revealed that police recovered the cut electrical wire and obtained statements from relevant witnesses.
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) deputy public relations officer, Luke Owoyesigyire. (File)
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Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, said its territorial police at Wandegeya are investigating a case of vandalism and attempted theft of a government electrical installation at Kagugube Zone, Kampala Central Division.
Luke Owoyesigyire, KMP deputy public relations officer, said the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at about 5:00 am, when a security guard reportedly observed an individual cutting copper wire from an electric pole.
“The suspect fled after being approached, leaving the cut wire at the scene. Shortly afterwards, another individual arrived on a motorcycle, registration number UMA 621GZ, and allegedly attempted to collect and transport the cut wire. He was apprehended and identified as Thomas Kimunyu, a 38-year-old boda-boda rider from Nakulabye,” he said.
Owoyesigyire revealed that police recovered the cut electrical wire and obtained statements from relevant witnesses.
On several occasions, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) 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.
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.
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.
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 subcounty.
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.