Two former Umeme employees wanted over power infrastructure vandalism

What the report says

Police in Uganda’s Savannah region are searching for two former Umeme employees, identified by the paper as Isma and Juma, over alleged involvement in vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure. The Observer says the men previously worked in the Greater Luwero area and are suspected of being linked to a wider network that removes power wires and other installations for resale.

The report says the manhunt followed a police operation on Thursday morning in Mpande village, Kalule parish, Nyimbwa sub-county, where officers recovered three rolls of solidal wires. Acting on information from local leaders, police arrested two other suspects, Musa Mayembo, 20, and William Kiryowa. Authorities also impounded a Toyota Starlet and a motorcycle believed to have been used to transport the stolen wires.

Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said investigators believe the wires came from different parts of the region, which covers Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts. He added that police suspect some buyers travel from Kampala to collect the stolen material. The paper also notes that the region has seen recurring power outages, with the utility attributing some disruptions to vandalism. In background, Uganda’s electricity distribution sector was recently restructured after Umeme’s concession ended, and UEDCL took over operations in April 2025.