By Spy Uganda
On the 15.09.2022, the Joint Security Agencies in Mityana District, kicked off intelligence led operation and arrested 16 suspects who were actively involved in the malicious damage and theft of Electricity Power Lines and National Water Pipes and Equipment in Ssekanyonyi Town Council, Mityana District, between the 5th – 9th, September 2022.
Police says, 13 suspects were arrested from Surex Guest House. These included; Damba Joshua, Nsamba Charles, Bogere Baker, Salongo Sebwatyo, Goloba Edward, Bitamuzi Richard, Mpungu Robert, Kasujja Peter, Sekwa Bernard, Semanda Mark, Nakayenga Joan, Nakiboneka Grace and Nangobi Lydia.
”The operation was extended to the villages of Kajumiro, Kabulasoke sub-county, Gomba district, where 3 UMEME workers were intercepted while selling electric poles at around 8pm. In addition, they impounded an UMEME track loaded with an assortment of electric wires,” says Police.
The arrested suspects included; Ndugga John, a 27 year old, UMEME employee attached to Masaka and resident of Kijjabwemi LCI, Kibalizi George, a 37 year old, lines assistant of UMEME Masaka and resident of Nyendo Nakayiba LCI; and Ssendi Charles, a 52 year old, driver attached to UMEME Masaka and resident of Nyendo Nakayiba LCI.
This now brings the total number of cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure to 44, with 62 suspects.
The breakdown of cases is as follows; 18 in KMP, 8 in Savannah, 8 in Katonga, 5 in Wamala, 3 in Greater Masaka, 1 in Busoga North, and 1 in Kiira. The local areas include (In KMP – Nsooba, Mulago, Kawempe, Kisenyi II zone, New taxi part, Old Kampala, Lusanja-Kasangati, Kakajjo zone, Bweyogerere, Najjanankumbi, Kisekka market, Namuwongo, Kabaawo zone, Mutundwe. In Katonga – Kiyunga zone, Lufuka village, Buyaya village, Mpanga Forest Reserve in Mpigi district and Kasiika and Mpunge villages, in Gomba district were affected. In Wamala – Kasana “A” in Mubende district, Busimbi village in Mityana, Ntwetwe Town Council in Kyankwanzi, Kabakanjagala village in Kiboga district, Butiti village, Wamukokome village, Kitale Trading Centre, Bamusunta village, Katugo and Walusi in Nakasongola district were affected.
In Kiira- Buwenge Town Council, and in Greater Masaka- Lubumba village in Kalungu district and Kisolo village in Lwengo district, were affected.
”As the Joint Security Agencies our primary concern in preventing theft of utility infrastructure is to maintain the safety of utility infrastructure and pursue all perpetrators causing significant damage to the infrastructure. Its unfortunate that some UMEME staff who are supposed to jealously guard the power infrastructure, are instead perpetrators of the crime,” says Police.
