Police in the Rwenzori East Region are investigating the theft of electricity conductors worth Shs7.5 million from the Kasese–Fort Portal transmission line in Kasese District.
According to police, the vandalism occurred on the night of July 17–18, 2026, at Kikura Village in Mubuku Town Council, where unknown people allegedly cut and stole about 360 metres of 120mm² conductor wire, leaving another 240 metres hanging from the damaged transmission line.
The attack affected six electricity poles.
The incident was reported to Hima Police Division by Ibrahim Sseremba, the Network Technical Officer for the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) in Kasese.
Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate said officers visited the scene, documented the damage and launched investigations.
"Preliminary findings indicate that during the night of 17th/18th July 2026, unknown persons vandalised the Kasese–Fort Portal power transmission line at Kikura Village, Mubuku Town Council, Kasese District," Maate said.
Police believe the latest theft is linked to an earlier incident reported on July 13, 2026, suggesting that the suspects returned to continue cutting the transmission line from where they had previously stopped.
"Investigations indicate that this incident is linked to an earlier act of vandalism on the same power line reported on 13th July 2026, as the suspects appear to have resumed cutting the line from where they had previously stopped," Maate said.
He said police are strengthening security measures to curb repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure, which continue to disrupt power supply and cause financial losses.
"The police intend to engage relevant stakeholders, including UEDCL and local leaders, and to intensify routine patrols along the affected corridor, given the recurring nature of this crime," he said.
Maate said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible and recover the stolen conductors.
"Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen conductors," he added.
Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity around electricity installations to help protect critical national infrastructure.
