By The chief Executive officer of Kilembe Rural Electricity Ms Jane Masika Birungi has asked the people of the Rwenzori sub-region to protect electric wires against vandalisation.
According to Birungi Acts of vandalism increase the capital expenditure of the organization plus compromise on the power reliability which is critical in economic development.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, it is estimated that Shs260 billion was lost due to vandalism in 2021.
Over the past two decades, the Government of Uganda has intensified investments in the electricity sector. Notably, the generation segment has realized incredible strides as installed energy capacity has hit 1,282 MW according to the ERA
Despite the aforementioned investments, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) still grapples with rampant cases of vandalism.
Addressing the Media Jane Masika, said that the government should, through the Ministry of Energy, impose new penalties on all individuals detained on charges of damaging electrical wiring, and those who steal transformer oil should cease their actions before the government’s long arm catches them.
Mr. Kigutiha Jafali, the chairperson of LC One for Basecamp Lower Cell in the Kasese Municipality, has requested that all management of Kilembe Investment Ltd. and other power distributing companies look into their employees as well, as those who steal electric wires are also skilled individuals who can scale poles.
Following the vandalism, Communities of Karusandara, Kitabu, and Kitenge in the Kasese district have no access to electricity since most wires were stolen during the COVID-19 pandemic
As one of the measures to mitigate this, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited is developing a whistleblower policy. This will enable it to offer financial rewards to members of the public who offer information leading to arrests of vandals or recovery of stolen materials
