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Gold dealers Ali Ngobi Abaala, Alex Muzaale and UMEME technician Daniel Musoke working with Billy Electrical Ltd (Photo by Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
Police have detained two gold dealers and a UMEME contractor staff member over the suspected vandalism and sale of electricity power line infrastructure in Kiboga District, Bunyoro sub-region. Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of gold dealers Ali Ngobi, also known as Abaala, a 21-year-old, and Alex Muzaale, 23, both from Kamuli District, working at Lubaali gold site in Bukuya Sub-county, Mubende District.
“The notorious duo was arrested early Sunday morning at 5:30 am in Busaku village, Namayumba Sub-county, Wakiso District, with 350 meters of stolen electricity wires taken from power poles, allegedly with the help of UMEME staff,” Onyango said.
At the time of their arrest, they were transporting the stolen electricity materials in a Toyota Noah, registration number UBS 811G. Onyango further revealed that police are still tracking key UMEME staff members suspected of colluding with the suspects.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson confirmed the arrest of gold dealers Ali Ngobi and Alex Muzaale with Sunday Musoke (Photo by Milton Ninga)
“They were in contact with Sunday Daniel Musoke, a UMEME technician, via phone. Musoke, who is attached to Billy Electrical Ltd Namirembe, a sub-contractor, has been coordinating the vandalism of power lines and selling the wires to scrap dealers,” Onyango explained.
Musoke is also in detention, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of his involvement in the vandalism network.
UMEME’s exit and increased crackdown on vandalism
With only eight days left before the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) takes over from UMEME, a private electricity distributor for the past 20 years, police have intensified crackdowns on power infrastructure vandalism. Authorities have noted the involvement of insiders in the crimes.
The government officially handed over licenses for electricity distribution and sales to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) last year, marking the end of UMEME’s concession, which is set to expire on March 31, 2025. The recent arrests are part of efforts to curb power infrastructure vandalism, which has severe economic and social consequences. The suspects have been charged with interfering with the electricity network, contrary to the Electricity (Amendment) Act 2022, Clause 19, Section 85 (i).
“The penalties for such crimes are substantial, with fines of up to UGX 1 billion or a maximum sentence of 15 years for stealing electricity or vandalizing power infrastructure—or both,” Onyango warned.
Persistent vandalism and illegal connections
Julius Wandera, the ERA Director of Corporate and Consumer Affairs, stated that more than 15 convicts are currently serving seven-year sentences for similar crimes.
“We have recorded high cases of vandalism in Mayuge, Luwero, Masindi, Hoima, Kyankwanzi, Nakasongola, Lira, Kazo, Ntungamo, and Kabale districts,” he noted.
Former UMEME staff creating an illegal connection crisis
Wandera also revealed that former UMEME employees have been aiding illegal power connections by using official infrastructure for unauthorized installations, which they later sell in their electrical shops.
“These electricians are responsible for illegal connections to the national grid using ‘Misambya’ trees in rural areas, particularly in Namayingo District. We are closely following up on these cases. Anyone interfering with the electricity network risks imprisonment or paying fines 10 to 20 times more than the cost of legal connections,” he warned.
The implicated individuals allegedly exploit their technical knowledge to facilitate these illegal activities, posing a serious risk to public safety. UMEME has made several efforts to address this issue, including launching awareness campaigns such as the ‘Wuuyo’ initiative in 2016, aimed at educating the public about the dangers of illegal power connections and electricity theft. However, cases of vandalism and illegal connections have persisted.
The electricity power lines which were stolen bundled in a Noah vehicle number UBS 811G (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Government commitment to electricity expansion
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the Chief Executive Officer of ERA, condemned the ongoing acts of power line vandalism and assured continued collaboration with the Ministry of Energy to address the crisis.
“The country’s power generation capacity has reached 2,049MW, boosted by the commissioning of the 600MW Karuma Hydropower Plant and other smaller plants. However, protecting the national grid and distribution lines in hard-to-reach areas remains a top priority,” Waako said.
She further reassured the public that the government is committed to expanding electricity access, with a target of enrolling over 400,000 new connections to the national grid.
“We are currently making 35,000 new connections per month to improve electricity access across the country,” she added.
Meanwhile, last Thursday, Parliament approved a UGX 700 billion loan for the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the government’s buyout of UMEME Ltd.
Torch Media Africa
