News
Suspect rescued from mob after allegedly vandalising power lines in Mityana
A police team was dispatched to the scene, which successfully rescued the suspect from the crowd. However, a second suspect reportedly escaped before officers arrived.
Suspect rescued from mob after allegedly vandalising power lines in Mityana
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police have arrested a suspect accused of vandalising electricity infrastructure after he was rescued from an angry mob that allegedly caught him in the act in Mityana district.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the incident occurred in Nawangeri village and was reported to officers at Butayunja Police Station by local council leaders.
“Police received information that members of the public had arrested a suspect, who had allegedly been vandalising electric lines, and that the mob was assaulting him,” Kituuma said while addressing journalists in Naguru, Kampala, today (June 22, 2026).
A police team was dispatched to the scene, which successfully rescued the suspect from the crowd. However, a second suspect reportedly escaped before officers arrived.
At the scene, investigators recovered a motorcycle registration number UMA 413DC, a black bag containing tools believed to have been used in the vandalism, including hammers, scissors, spanners and axes, as well as an overall suspected to belong to one of the suspects.
“Preliminary findings confirm that electrical installations had been vandalised. Two suspects are believed to have been involved, one of whom is currently in custody,” Kituuma said.
Police are continuing efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspect. Kituuma commended members of the public for providing timely information and urged communities to remain vigilant against vandalism targeting critical infrastructure.
Several people have in the last two years been arrested over electricity vandalism, especially on high-voltage power lines, which has resulted into widespread power blackouts.
At the scene, investigators recovered a motorcycle registration number UMA 413DC, a black bag containing tools believed to have been used in the vandalism, including hammers, scissors, spanners and axes, as well as an overall suspected to belong to one of the suspects.
“Preliminary findings confirm that electrical installations had been vandalised. Two suspects are believed to have been involved, one of whom is currently in custody,” Kituuma said.
Police are continuing efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspect. Kituuma commended members of the public for providing timely information and urged communities to remain vigilant against vandalism targeting critical infrastructure.
Several people have in the last two years been arrested over electricity vandalism, especially on high-voltage power lines, which has resulted into widespread power blackouts.
Shoot to kill order, penalties
In June 2024, President Yoweri Museveni, while addressing the issue of vandalism during his Parish Development Model tour in Luweero, directed the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to form an inter-agency security committee to combat the vandalism. Museveni suggested a “shoot-to-kill” policy to deter future attacks, stating; “Once we shoot some of them, they will lose the appetite.”
The Government has enacted tough laws to combat vandalism of electricity infrastructure, particularly with the amendment of the Electricity Act in 2022. Those involved in such crimes face severe penalties under the law.
The amended Electricity Act stipulates a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison or a fine of sh1b for first-time offenders convicted of vandalising electricity infrastructure. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment or a fine of sh2b.
In some cases, vandalism of critical national infrastructure can also be prosecuted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, especially when the destruction is deemed intentional and aimed at destabilising essential services.
Under the Electricity Act Amendment of 2022, suspects face up to 12 years in prison or a sh1b fine for a first offence. Repeat offenders can be imprisoned for 15 years or fined sh2b. Those found guilty under the Prevention of Terrorism Act could face even stiffer penalties.
In October 2024, the Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Bateebe while appearing before the Parliaments Committee on Environment and Natural Resources said they were considering using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to deter vandals from stealing electricity infrastructure.
Some of the past cases
In December 2024, Police in Nakasongola district launched a public appeal for information about unknown people who launched an attack on Government utility infrastructure, plunging the area into darkness. The attack occurred in Lubenge Swamp, Police said.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah region Police spokesperson, said some of the infrastructure included high voltage power lines.
In November 2024, Police arrested five people believed to be part of a notorious ring of powerline vandals in Mukono district. The group is known to attack electricity infrastructure, including poles and transformers disrupting power supply to homes and businesses.
Police spokesperson (Kituuma) said the suspects were nabbed from Katenga village, after being cornered by security forces and caught red-handed with two ABC conductor electric wires, Umeme uniforms and other related equipment.
In July 2024, 17 suspects, were charged with terrorism in Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court for vandalising electricity infrastructure across Uganda. The state alleged the attacks, spanning 2022 to May 2025, targeted power lines in Kampala, Luweero, Nakasongola, Mityana, Kiboga, and Mubende, causing widespread blackouts.
In June 2024, President Yoweri Museveni, while addressing the issue of vandalism during his Parish Development Model tour in Luweero, directed the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to form an inter-agency security committee to combat the vandalism. Museveni suggested a “shoot-to-kill” policy to deter future attacks, stating; “Once we shoot some of them, they will lose the appetite.”
The Government has enacted tough laws to combat vandalism of electricity infrastructure, particularly with the amendment of the Electricity Act in 2022. Those involved in such crimes face severe penalties under the law.
The amended Electricity Act stipulates a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison or a fine of sh1b for first-time offenders convicted of vandalising electricity infrastructure. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment or a fine of sh2b.
In some cases, vandalism of critical national infrastructure can also be prosecuted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, especially when the destruction is deemed intentional and aimed at destabilising essential services.
Under the Electricity Act Amendment of 2022, suspects face up to 12 years in prison or a sh1b fine for a first offence. Repeat offenders can be imprisoned for 15 years or fined sh2b. Those found guilty under the Prevention of Terrorism Act could face even stiffer penalties.
In October 2024, the Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Bateebe while appearing before the Parliaments Committee on Environment and Natural Resources said they were considering using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to deter vandals from stealing electricity infrastructure.
Some of the past cases
In December 2024, Police in Nakasongola district launched a public appeal for information about unknown people who launched an attack on Government utility infrastructure, plunging the area into darkness. The attack occurred in Lubenge Swamp, Police said.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah region Police spokesperson, said some of the infrastructure included high voltage power lines.
In November 2024, Police arrested five people believed to be part of a notorious ring of powerline vandals in Mukono district. The group is known to attack electricity infrastructure, including poles and transformers disrupting power supply to homes and businesses.
Police spokesperson (Kituuma) said the suspects were nabbed from Katenga village, after being cornered by security forces and caught red-handed with two ABC conductor electric wires, Umeme uniforms and other related equipment.
In July 2024, 17 suspects, were charged with terrorism in Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court for vandalising electricity infrastructure across Uganda. The state alleged the attacks, spanning 2022 to May 2025, targeted power lines in Kampala, Luweero, Nakasongola, Mityana, Kiboga, and Mubende, causing widespread blackouts.