A joint security operation on Friday led to the arrest of two men suspected of orchestrating a wave of electricity line thefts in Bombo and surrounding areas of Luwero District.
The suspects, identified as Kamoga Godfrey, a resident of Bajjo Kisingiri Village, and Geoffrey Kasaga from Namaliga West Village, were both previously employed by Uganda’s former power distributor UMEME, authorities said.
According to ASP Sam Twiineamazima, regional police spokesperson for Savannah Region, the operation began at around 7:30 a.m., targeting individuals believed to be sabotaging electricity infrastructure.
“During the operation, the suspects led police to several stores in Nkokonjeru and Bajjo, where large quantities of suspected stolen electrical equipment were recovered,” ASP Twiineamazima said.
Recovered items included two rolls of bare conductors, five rolls of three-phase ABC wires, assorted small single-phase ABC cables, pliers, guy grips, and other electrical materials used for illegal connections.
“The ongoing operation aims to dismantle a broader network of vandals believed to be operating within the district,” he added.
Authorities are also pursuing two additional suspects, identified as Medi and Ismail, who are believed to be part of the same criminal chain. Investigators are tracing other suspected stores used for storing stolen electrical materials, with the aim of disrupting the wider syndicate.
The arrested suspects and the recovered items have been transported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters for further interrogation and management.
ASP Twiineamazima urged the public to report any suspicious activities around electricity infrastructure, stressing the importance of community vigilance in preventing theft and service disruptions.
Power line theft has increasingly disrupted electricity supply in Luwero District, causing both financial losses and interruptions to service for households and businesses.
Authorities say that coordinated enforcement efforts, combined with community reporting, are critical to tackling the problem.