President Yoweri Museveni has instructed the Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to form a multi-agency security task force to combat the rising cases of electricity infrastructure vandalism in central Uganda.
He even suggested that harsh and tough measures to be applied including shooting the offenders.
This order comes amid a spike in attacks on the power grid in districts like Nakasongola, Luwero, and Nakaseke, where numerous communities have been left in darkness due to the destruction of electric poles and theft of wiring.
During a media briefing at State Lodge Luwero as part of his ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) tour, Museveni strongly condemned the sabotage and even hinted at a possible “shoot-to-kill” policy as a deterrent.
“If we shoot a few of them, it will scare the rest,” he said in response to questions about government action on the crisis, which has disrupted businesses and livelihoods in the region.
To counter the problem, the government is considering increased security patrols and CCTV installations in high-risk areas.
Recent incidents in Wabigalo, Kakooge, and Katuugo towns saw major infrastructure damage, including the cutting of power poles and theft of large quantities of wire.
In December 2024, vandals felled two high-voltage poles in Lubenge swamp near Kakooge, stealing over 600 meters of wire worth Shs 20 million.
Reports suggest many of the suspects come from Kampala and Wakiso.
Earlier arrests in November 2024 involved three men from Matugga, Wakiso, caught in the act in Kikyusa, Luwero, and five others were apprehended in Nakaseke in June for similar offenses.
The issue has persisted for years—back in 2021, UMEME, Uganda’s then-power distributor, reported vandalism-related losses exceeding 26 billion in Ugandan Shillings.
In response to the growing threat, security authorities have proposed trying suspects under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which would impose tougher penalties, including longer sentences, to deter future offenders.
With Museveni’s latest directive, General Muhoozi, who also happens to be Museveni’s son, is tasked with leading a coordinated response involving military, police, local leaders, and other agencies to stamp out what the president labelled as economic sabotage.
President Museveni emphasized that these acts are not mere theft but deliberate attempts to derail Uganda’s development.