The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has warned residents, particularly those living near the Nile, that tampering with electricity infrastructure could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 years and fines as high as Shs 1 billion under Sections 85 and 86 of the Electricity Act.
UEGCL spokesperson Jonan Kiiza highlighted the severe penalties stipulated in the Electricity Act of 2022, urging the public to refrain from vandalizing electricity infrastructure.
“We have seen individuals sent to prison and fined heavily. Let us avoid these inconveniences and support government efforts to provide free electricity services,” Kiiza said.
He appealed to communities to protect power infrastructure and support government initiatives to expand electricity access, emphasizing that vandalism undermines these efforts.
“Government is investing heavily in extending electricity to rural areas, but vandalism continues to sabotage these efforts,” Kiiza stated during the launch of the second phase of the Isimba Hydropower Project’s Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) in Kayunga District.
The event took place in Nabuganyi Parish, Busana Subcounty, Kayunga District.
Kiiza revealed that since May, UEGCL has connected over 950 new customers in Kamuli and Buikwe districts and installed 10 transformers to improve power distribution.
However, theft of transformer oil and cables remains a significant challenge, particularly in areas along the Nile.
To combat this, UEGCL is encouraging households near power lines to take advantage of free electricity connections, including free meters provided by the government.
“This is a transformational initiative. It’s time for communities to embrace electricity and improve their livelihoods,” Kiiza added.
He advised residents to hire certified electricians for wiring their homes and report any suspicious activities around power infrastructure.
“Certified electricians are regulated and held accountable. Poor wiring often causes electrical faults, which can lead to property damage,” he emphasised.
UEGCL has established toll-free lines for communities to report vandalism and other electricity-related issues. Kiiza also assured the public that electricity tariffs would continue to decline, making power more affordable.
Kayunga District LC V Chairperson, Andrew Muwonge, appealed to the government to expedite efforts to connect remaining villages to the national grid.
“Currently, 75% of villages in Kayunga have access to electricity, but several others, particularly in remote areas, remain without power,” Muwonge stated.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Energy has committed to addressing this issue in the next financial year under a new rural electrification project.
According to Muwonge, the project aims to supply electricity to underserved villages, including those in Bbaale Constituency.
While all parishes in Kayunga have some electricity access, villages in areas like Kayonza, Namavundu, and Kamsabi Parish remain largely unconnected.
The district has been allocated 50 additional transformers under the new project, which Muwonge believes will significantly improve electricity distribution.
“We are hopeful that by next year, all villages in Kayunga will have electricity,” he said.
Musa Mukuru, an electrical engineer with UEGCL and the project’s contract manager, revealed that the project involves installing 47 transformers and extending medium- and low-voltage power lines to 49 villages in Kayunga District.
“This power will not only connect homes but also enable the community to engage in various businesses,” Mukuru explained.
The project aims to drive local economic growth, improve living standards, and support essential services such as healthcare, education, and business operations.
However, Mukuru raised concerns about vandalism, warning that it threatens the sustainability of the infrastructure.
“We urge the community to safeguard this infrastructure. It is for their benefit,” Mukuru emphasized.