Police on Tuesday recovered over 40 tons of vandalized electricity materials meant for construction of high voltage power lines in a three day intelligence-led operation in Kampala.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the operation targeted areas where suspected electrical materials are stored and sold in areas of Kisenyi.
“This comes after the reports of constant vandalism of Umeme electrical materials in different parts of the country and are bought and sold amongst the scrap centers in Kisenyi,” Onyango said.
Other items that were recovered include; rails of railway line, angle bars for electricity power line and solar poles suspected to be of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Police went ahead to arrest 13 people in the operation and are currently detained at Old Kampala Police Station.
Police also identified the three locations of the scrap dealers; Social center scrap yard in Mengo parish Kampala central division, Nakitende scrap yard at Budonian village Mengo parish and Kisenyi scrap dealers opposite Ham building central zone Kisenyi.
Vandalism of electricity infrastructure according to Umeme hit alarming levels in past 12 months, causing unprecedented disruption of electricity supply. The sector loses over Shs26 billion in stolen copper wires, vandalised transformers and poles amongst others.
A Shs1 billion fine or a 15 years jail term awaits anyone who is found guilty of vandalising electricity infrastructure following the passing of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Members of Parliament passed the bill on Wednesday, 13 April 2022.
