President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to establish an inter-agency security committee to tackle the growing cases of electricity infrastructure vandalism in central Uganda.

The President’s directive follows a surge in criminal activities that have left communities in Nakasongola, Luwero, and Nakaseke districts in darkness.

Vandals have been targeting electric poles and wires, causing widespread power outages that have disrupted homes and crippled businesses.

The most recent attacks were reported in Wabigalo, Kakooge, and Katuugo towns in Nakasongola District, where unknown individuals armed with saws cut down electricity poles, stole cables, and fled the scenes undetected.

Speaking to the media at the State Lodge in Luwero Town during his Parish Development Model (PDM) tour, Museveni strongly condemned the sabotage.

He hinted at the possible adoption of a shoot-to-kill policy as a deterrent against persistent vandals, noting the seriousness of the threat to public infrastructure and livelihoods.

Responding to journalists’ concerns about government action, Museveni revealed that Gen. Muhoozi has been tasked with forming a committee comprising various security agencies to plan and execute anti-vandalism measures.

Proposed strategies include increased security presence in vulnerable areas and the installation of CCTV cameras in identified hotspots.

In one of the more costly incidents, two high-voltage electric poles were vandalized in December 2024 in Lubenge Swamp near Kakooge Town, with approximately 600 meters of wire—worth around Shs 20 million—stolen.

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