A police officer and seventeen other people got locked up for wrecking power lines across Uganda. Emmanuel Kato works as a driver at Mukono central police station and faces terrorism charges with his co-accused. The group appeared before magistrate Andrew Katulubuki at Nakawa court on Thursday. All eighteen suspects got sent to Luzira prison until their next court date on July 17. The charges carry penalties of fifteen years behind bars or fines worth two billion shillings.
Prosecutors say the gang targeted electricity cables from April 2022 through May 2025. Their attacks hit power supplies across Kampala, Luwero, Nakasongola, Mityana, Kiboga and Mubende districts. The sabotage cut electricity to important places like Nakasongola Military hospital and Luwero Industries factories. Martin Odong leads the prosecution team and claims the suspects wanted to mess with government operations. Their actions left thousands of people without power for hours or days.
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company officials blame recent blackouts on vandalism crimes. Jonan Kiiza warns that stealing transformer oil for cooking creates serious health dangers for families. Communities must protect power equipment because repairs cost money that could improve services instead. Vandalism makes electricity more expensive for everyone who pays bills each month. Police promise to speed up court cases against people who damage the national power grid.
Prosecutors say the gang targeted electricity cables from April 2022 through May 2025. Their attacks hit power supplies across Kampala, Luwero, Nakasongola, Mityana, Kiboga and Mubende districts. The sabotage cut electricity to important places like Nakasongola Military hospital and Luwero Industries factories. Martin Odong leads the prosecution team and claims the suspects wanted to mess with government operations. Their actions left thousands of people without power for hours or days.
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company officials blame recent blackouts on vandalism crimes. Jonan Kiiza warns that stealing transformer oil for cooking creates serious health dangers for families. Communities must protect power equipment because repairs cost money that could improve services instead. Vandalism makes electricity more expensive for everyone who pays bills each month. Police promise to speed up court cases against people who damage the national power grid.
