Two arrested over electricity vandalism in Mukono
Racheal Kawala said the suspects have been identified as Paul Kakooza, a 24-year-old electrician, and Bernley Tenywa, a 32-year-old electrician.
Racheal Kawala, the KMP police spokesperson, said the suspects have been identified as Paul Kakooza, a 24-year-old electrician, and Bernley Tenywa, a 32-year-old electrician. (Courtesy)
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Kampala Metropolitan Police on Thursday, April 9, 2026, said its territorial police in Mukono district are holding two suspects in connection with alleged electricity vandalism and impersonation.
Racheal Kawala, the KMP police spokesperson, said the suspects have been identified as Paul Kakooza, a 24-year-old electrician, and Bernley Tenywa, a 32-year-old electrician.
“The incident occurred in Kasai, Mukono District. It is alleged that the two men, dressed in Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) uniforms, gained access to Emerald Primary School under the pretext of taking meter readings. They reportedly climbed an electric pole and removed electric cables supplying power to the school, despite not having any official work identification documents,” Kawala said.
She revealed that the suspects were allegedly riding a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UFR 408P, and had painted the number plate blue to resemble those used by UEDCL.
“They are currently in police custody pending prosecution,” Kawala added.
Mukono and Buikwe districts have recently become centres of electricity infrastructure vandalism.
Previous vandalism
On March 16, 2026, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) strongly warned the public against vandalising or attempting to access electricity transmission infrastructure. High-voltage installations carry dangerous currents and can result in serious injury or death.
This followed the electrocution of an unknown suspect who climbed a transmission tower on the Owen Falls–Lugazi Transmission Line in Lugazi, Buikwe district.
“UETCL informs the public that a suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to climb a transmission tower on the Owen Falls–Lugazi Transmission Line in Lugazi. The individual is currently suspended on the tower as arrangements are being made for a technical team to safely retrieve the body. The matter has been handed over to the Police for further investigation,” UETCL said in a statement.
UETCL urged the general public to be vigilant and report suspected vandals to the nearest police station. Vandalism not only interrupts the power supply but is also a danger to human life.
Previous vandalism
In November last year, a man was found dead at a high-voltage transmission tower vandalism scene in Mukono district's Nakapinyi village, Kasenge parish, Nama subcounty.
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said on November 20, 2025, that the incident likely occurred during the nights of November 18 and 19, 2025, when a group of unknown individuals attempted to vandalise a high-voltage power transmission tower connected to the Namawojolo power substation.
“During the act, one of the vandals became trapped within the angle bars of the tower and died instantly. His body, dressed in a blue overall, was found hanging on the structure. The vandalism also caused damage to another tower located about half a kilometre away,” he said.
He added that a case had been registered at Mukono Police Division.
“A joint team of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited officers and Police visited and examined the scene. Statements have been obtained from residents, photographs captured and task teams are actively pursuing leads to identify and arrest the other suspects involved,” Owoyesigyire said.
Preliminary findings indicate the deceased was part of a group cutting the high-voltage tower structure and was fatally trapped during the collapse attempt.
“Efforts are underway to safely retrieve the body for post-mortem and proper profiling. Police are also working to establish the motive, identify all culprits, and ensure their prosecution. Further updates will be provided as inquiries progress,” Owoyesigyire stated.
Power Interruption
Following the November vandalism, UETCL posted on its social media platforms that some towers had collapsed on the 132kV Owen Falls-Mukono North and Mukono North-Namanve South transmission lines due to vandalism, interrupting supply to the Mukono North substation.
UETCL again urged the public to be vigilant and report suspected vandals, emphasising that vandalism not only interrupts power supply but also endangers human life.
Suspects arrested over vandalism of utility infrastructure are now charged under the Anti–Terrorism Act, 2002, as the vandalism is considered sabotage by the Government.
Minister warns
Reacting to the Mukono vandalism incident, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa said the act, which led to tower collapse and loss of life, is criminal and constitutes economic sabotage.
“Ugandans must understand [that] vandalising power infrastructure is not just theft, it is an attack on national stability, public safety and our economic progress. We will not tolerate it. I urge the public to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious individuals tampering with electricity infrastructure,” the minister said.
Five suspects have since been charged and remanded over the Mukono vandalism incident.