Umeme loses Shs800m in Kasese transformer theft

Mr Lubega stephen, a Umeme maintenance egnineer, shows samples of the stolen tranformers. File photo

Kasese.

Uganda Umeme has for the last two years lost 15 transformers to thieves in the western district of Kasese, company officials have said.

The theft of the transformers valued at Shs800m has left the company with a great power supply challenge to its customers in the district.

Mr Stephen Lubega, a maintenance engineer for Umeme Kasese, told Daily Monitor on Monday that 10 of the transformers were stolen from different distribution points last year and five early this year.

“We have lost at least 15 transformers to thieves, 10 were stolen last year, five stolen this year with three of them belonging to a local power distributor Kilembe Investment Limited Company,” he said.

Mr Lubega was speaking on the sidelines of a two-day awareness meeting of Kasese District stake holders and business communities organised by Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA).

He said the thefts have hampered Umeme’s efforts for sustainable power supply to Kasese and Rwenzori region at large. He added that the company’s efforts to get the thieves have not been supported by the community which appears reluctant in apprehending them.

In turn, he said this has contributed to frequent power blackouts since the company lacks transformers for immediate replacement.

Cited areas
Mr Patrick Ssebalamu, the Umeme manager Kasese, confirmed the rampant theft of transformers especially in urban areas.

He cited Katadoba Church in Kasese Town where a 50 kilo voltage (kv) transformer worth Shs50m was stolen last year. Others are; 50kv worth Shs40m at Base Camp lower, 100kv worth Shs70m at Base Camp Trading Centre, 50kv worth Shs60m at Katadoba, 200kv worth Shs80m at Kilembe, 100kv worth Shs90m on Kyebambe Road, 315kv worth Shs100m for Kamaiba village, and a 100kv worth Shs70m from railway station.

This year, two transformers have been stolen, one at spring international hotel of 50kv worth Shs40m and another at Base Camp 100kv transformer worth Shs70m.

Mr Ssebalamu further noted that several aluminum conductors have also been stolen from Kamaiba, Katadoba, Rungedabara and Hima where Umeme lines are under installation.

ERA principal communications officer Diana Nandi said they are aware that power theft and vandalism is on the increase in Uganda and that government is working on the amendment of the Electricity Act 1999 to provide for tougher penalties for power thieves.

She was, however, uncertain of when the amendment process is expected to start due to many stakeholders involved in the electricity sector.