Three arrested for vandalizing power line in Buikwe

Police in Buikwe district are holding three men suspected of vandalizing an electricity distribution line belonging to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).

The incident occurred on the night of June 8, 2025, in Tega village, Kabanga parish, Najjembe Division, at around 11:30 p.m. A whistleblower who requested anonymity alerted authorities to suspicious activity in the area.

A joint operation of the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), led by Lt Charles Ssempijja, was launched, leading to the arrest of the suspects who were allegedly caught digging and attempting to remove a stay wire from the power line.

The suspects have been identified as Denis Mugweri Waiswa Malagala, 34, a linesman with HASO Engineering Company and resident of Namengo Kiteeredde Central, Lugazi Central Division, Philip Abit, 21, a loader from Tega village and Rashid Lunanoba, 21, a boda-boda cyclist from Kasoga village.

According to Hellen Butoto, spokesperson for the Ssezibwa region police, tools typically used for power line work were recovered at the scene. Police also recovered two ‘danger’ plates from the homes of Mugweri and Lunanoba.

Butoto said investigations are ongoing to trace and recover any additional equipment connected to the vandalism. Authorities have since warned that vandalizing electricity infrastructure is a serious criminal offence under the Electricity (Amendment) Act, 2022, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of Shs 1 billion, or both upon conviction.