NELSON K
The Rukungiri UEDCL office has confirmed the theft of electric wires stolen Tuesday night in Kyamurari and Mariba cells in Kigaaga Parish, Nyakagyeme Subcounty, Rukungiri District.
While speaking with Boona Radio this afternoon, the Rukungiri District UEDCL line engineer, Mr. Asiimwe Alex, confirmed that Kyamurari and Mariba residents in Kigaaga are currently in darkness and without electric service after unknown people invaded the area, cut off the wires, and stole them, causing a complete disconnection.
Mr. Asiimwe confirmed that his team has conducted an on-ground investigation in partnership with the Nyakagyeme Subcounty Police OC station, but they have not yet traced any suspects linked to the crime. However, as a concerned technical team, they have informed the responsible technical team of City Harvest Limited, the company awarded an official contract to extend electricity in the area, which has confirmed that it will send technicians to reconnect the area, although the exact date of the exercise has not yet been communicated.
Meanwhile, despite expressing sympathy to the affected residents who are currently disconnected, he has called on communities to stay alert about technical thieves who pretend to be UEDCL workers, whose intention is to steal electric materials. Others have reportedly committed cyber crimes, calling and threatening UEDCL customers to send them money or face disconnection.
On this issue, he has called upon all communities to work together and arrest such individuals and hand them over to the police immediately, saying that the government of the Republic of Uganda has given them power to support economic development and therefore no one should be given a chance to sabotage such important community services for personal benefit.
He urged residents to reject requests from unknown people who call demanding cash for electrical services, and instead first visit the nearest UEDCL office to verify any payment-related concerns, stating that they have official accounts and that payments should not be made to individuals.
Eng. Asiimwe also updated on the progress of the national electricity power upgrade currently taking place at main control panels and sources, expressing hope that it will help reduce the challenge of electricity load shedding.
