UPDF Officer, 3 others arrested over Vandalism of electricity infrastructure
Police in Kampala have arrested four suspects and recovered electrical materials in Kyengera town council.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango, Police got information that there are electric wires which are hidden in one of the buildings in Wakimese zone Kyengera town council, Nsangi Division.
‘’A team of Flying Squad moved to the scene, on reaching they found a motor vehicle reg no UAP 947W caldina being driven by a person dressed in UPDF uniform. The Flying squad team arrested the occupants and impounded the motor vehicle’’, Onyango said.
He added that the suspects were taken to Kampala Metropolitan Police South for interrogation
Onyango identified the suspects as; RA191749 L/Cpl Baryahebwa James attached to Kakiri First Division and he is the one who was driving the car.
Alinaitwe Varensio 36yrs resident of Wakimese zone Kyengera town council, Kamadi Giberya 20 years and resident of Kayebe zone Gayaza, and Kambira Joseph 30 years -resident of Mulago Wandegeya.
Onyango says one of the suspects Varensio Alinitwe confessed that he and another one called Atwine John vandalize electricity power lines and steal wires which they sell in Kisenyi Kampala.
The army officer also confessed that they normally use him as a cover-up while transporting the materials from the store to the buyers.
The group confessed to vandalizing power lines on 29 November 2022 in Kasangati in Kyijude Village.
‘’The wires they stole from here they kept in Wakimese Kyengera in the House of Varensio Alinitwe’’, noted Onyango.
The four (4) have been detained at Nateete pending other arrests.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) says theft and vandalism of electrical equipment is the major threat in the fulfillment of future development plans in the electricity supply industry.
Officials say that such an act can frustrate efforts of further advancement in the industry since more funds are spent into the reconstruction of the network.
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