TikToker arrested over inciting electricity theft, faces up to 12 years in jail

KAMPALA - Christian Sythn Briton Kasule, a 27-year-old businessman from the Kampala city suburb of Busega has been arrested and is under investigation over inciting the public to steal electricity after posting a TikTok video in which he bragged about illegally reconnecting power and encouraged others to do the same. 

The video, which was posted on June 12, 2025, showed Kasule reconnecting electricity using previously disconnected supply wires known as “solido,” in defiance of efforts by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to crack down on illegal connections. 

In the video, Kasule appeared to boast openly about the act, urging the public to take similar action whenever electricity is disconnected, thereby promoting tampering with national power infrastructure. 

Authorities say his actions constitute serious offences under the Electricity Act, including unauthorised reconnection, theft of electricity, and working on electrical systems without a valid permit.

“This kind of behaviour is not only criminal but extremely dangerous,” said Ibrahim Kasita, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) principal stakeholder engagement officer, while confirming the arrest.

“By encouraging tampering with electricity infrastructure, the suspect exposed himself and others to the risk of electrocution, and seriously undermined the reliability and safety of the national electricity grid.” 

According to Kasita, the Police, working with ERA and UEDCL, moved swiftly after receiving intelligence on July 16, 2025, and placed Kasule under arrest.  

He is currently in custody assisting with further investigations. 

Kasita said the Electricity Regulatory Authority, together with all players in the Electricity Supply Industry, strongly condemns such conduct and will ensure that anyone found engaging in similar acts is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Under Section 88 of the Electricity Act, unauthorized reconnection and tampering with supply wires such as solido is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
 
Theft of electricity through illegal connections is an offence under Section 90 of the Act and carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, in addition to requiring the culprit to pay up to 20 times the cost of the stolen or estimated stolen electricity. 

Working on electrical installations without an installation permit issued by the Installations Permits Committee of ERA is also illegal and attracts a punishment of up to two years in prison. 

Kasita said such conduct is not only unlawful but poses life-threatening risks, leads to massive losses in the electricity supply chain, and drives up the cost of power for genuine consumers.

“These crimes cost the electricity sector billions of shillings every year, losses which are eventually passed on to the public through higher tariffs,” he said.

“Anyone who tampers with electricity infrastructure is not just breaking the law—they are stealing from every Ugandan.” 

Kasita warned that glorifying electricity theft on social media is reckless and will not be tolerated.