Shs45m lost to Kabale power line vandals
An aerial view of a section of Kabale City. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- About five suspects have been arrested over vandalism of the power line.
More than Shs45 million has been lost to vandals of the towers of the 132 KV Mirama-Kabale-Karukara double circuit transmission line, according to local authorities.
The site manager of CCC International Engineering Limited, Mr Julius Musinguzi, said unknown thugs stole pylon/tower angles of about 3,000 kilogrammes, stepping bolts and nuts, which will have to be replaced.
He urged residents to be vigilant in identifying and reporting such suspects, adding that 70 kilogrammes have so far been recovered.
“We have constructed this power line to 95 percent to completion, but vandalism has been a hurdle for us,” Mr Musinguzi said.
During a sensitisation meeting on Wednesday, SP Charles Okello, the Kabale District police commander, said five suspects were arrested on Tuesday over vandalism of the power line after he was tipped off by Mr Musinguzi. He said Mr Musinguzi reported that the electric pylons were being stolen from the towers within the areas of Kaharo and Kyanamira.
“The site engineer informed us about the theft on that vital power line. We swung into action and followed up using our camera systems and we were lucky enough to arrest these thieves,” Mr Okello stated in a meeting attended by village and parish chairpersons of Kaharo and Kyanamira sub-counties.
He added that they arrested a boda boda rider, who led them to scrap dealers, who were transporting the stolen items. He said they detained several suspects.
The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Nyakahuma, said it was unfortunate that the suspects stole the pylon angles at a time leaders are preparing to host President Museveni within the region to launch the project that is expected to mitigate unstable power supply in Kigezi Sub-region.
He explained that the power line is meant to industrialise Kigezi, especially in Kabale where several companies are establishing factories. For instance, Sino Mineral Investment has set up an iron ore factory in Kabale.
Mr Nyakahuma added that the suspects in connection with the vandalism of pylon angles on the new 132Kv power line would be transferred to Kampala and be produced before the Standards and Utilities Chief Magistrate’s court in Kampala City, which is responsible for handling such related cases.
