Police in Nakaseke District have apprehended five individuals in connection with the vandalism and malicious damage to power wires and poles, which caused a blackout on Thursday, July 4, 2024, along Bulyana Road in Kikandwa Parish, Semuto Town Council.
The suspects are from areas beyond Nakaseke District, including Wakiso District and Kampala City. According to Sam Twiineamazima, the spokesperson for Savannah Regional Police, the suspects are identified as Franswa Mugisha, 45, a contractor from Ganda Zone, Nabweru Sub County; Moses Lugya Kiyingi, 43, a businessman from Kyebando Nsumbi Zone; Mugerwa Jimmy, 43, a technician from Nansana, Wakiso District; Mugerwa Denis, 28, a bodaboda rider from Kasengeja Zone, Wakiso District; and Kanwagi Ben, 35, an electrician from Kasengeja Zone.
The Officer in Charge of Semuto Police Station received a tip around 11:00 p.m. from a vigilant community member about a suspicious motor vehicle and motorcycle parked at Kikandwa Trading Center. Police responded promptly, impounding a black Toyota Raum (registration number UAQ 280M) and a red motorcycle (registration number UGA 369X), both containing solid electrical wires.
The five suspects were arrested on the spot and taken to Nakaseke Central Police Station for further investigation. Twiineamazima expressed gratitude to the community for their vigilance and cooperation, which facilitated the apprehension of the perpetrators. Further investigations are underway to ascertain the full extent of the vandalism and to ensure accountability.
In October 2021, two men were arrested for stealing power transmission cables worth Shillings 25 million, affecting the rural electrification project in neighboring Luwero District.
Brian Mwesigwa, 24, and John Ogweta, 20, both residents of Kasana in Luwero Town Council, were apprehended by police following intensified patrols and a dragnet operation. They were intercepted in Kasiiso village, Butuntumula Sub-County, after attempting to evade arrest by speeding off on motorcycles.
