In a recent incident, five individuals were accused of stealing construction materials worth millions of shillings from a water project in Igorora town council, Ibanda South County. The alleged theft took place on August 20, 2022, at the Nyabuhikye-Kikyenkye gravity water project site located in Ngango II cell. The stolen items included steel panels, round pipes, and angle bars, which were essential for building a water tank.
The suspects, identified as Godfrey Musinguzi, 34; Joseph Nasasira, 21; Victor Muzahura, 27; Onesmus Nasasira, 43; and Silver Twinomujuni, 45, are all residents of various areas in the vicinity of the water project. They were brought before Ibanda chief magistrate Winfred Naigaga Kyobiika to face charges under sections 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act related to theft.
The stolen materials, which belonged to Block Technical Services, had a substantial value, including five steel panels worth five million shillings, 60 round pipes, 52 pieces of 5.3mm angle bars, 60 pieces of 1.7mm angle bars, and 18 pieces of 4.7mm angle bars, with a total value of 137 million shillings. Block Technical Services is responsible for implementing the inter-district multibillion water project intended to serve Kazo and Ibanda districts.
The suspects’ actions were initially unnoticed as they took advantage of a rainy night to carry out their theft. However, their luck changed when a security guard reportedly witnessed their illicit activities. The guard observed them stealing the construction materials, prompting the subsequent investigation and arrest of the suspects.
In a twist of events, some of the suspects were identified by watchmen on the night of August 22, 2022, when they returned to retrieve stolen materials they had hidden in a nearby bush. The watchmen had left the steel panels in the same location where the thieves had concealed them, intending to apprehend the culprits. However, the suspects left the scene before they could be caught.
Subsequently, the suspects were arrested, charged, and are scheduled to return to court on November 1, 2023, for the mention of their case. The Nyabuhikye-Kikyenkye Water Supply and Sanitation System, with an estimated value of 20 billion shillings, is a gravity flow water scheme in Igorora town council, Ibanda South constituency. This project is funded by the African Development Bank and the Government.
