Security operatives in Lira City have intercepted at least two trucks of vandalized electricity transmission materials and arrested three suspects.
The trucks were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the operatives following a tip from the community.
Police have identified the three suspects as Ahmed Hajalla, the owner of the mini-factory where the stolen wires were recovered, Muhammad Okello, and Safa Anywari.
Lawrence Egole, the Lira Resident City Commissioner, said the suspects had established a melting facility where the transmission cables are melted and deformed to make them unrecognizable.
The suspects are currently being detained at the Lira City West Division police station, and police have filed charges of terrorism against them.
RCC Egole has described the vandals as murderers and economic and security saboteurs with ill intentions to frustrate government efforts.
In his 2022 end-of-year address to the nation, President Museveni cautioned and ordered vandals to surrender or risk being charged with terrorism once arrested.
The president explained that the vandalism of electricity lines and towers has since plunged the country into unnecessary load shedding due to less power. He vowed to fight those involved in the criminal act.
According to UMEME, vandalism of the electricity infrastructure has risen in western Uganda, with vandals stealing over 133 km of cable in just 12 months. The theft, according to experts in the region, now stands at 72%, followed by East and Northern Uganda.
The Umeme managing director Selestino Babungi revealed that in 2021 alone, the sector lost over Ugx 26 billion in stolen copper wires, vandalized transformers, and poles, among others.