Police in Mbarara City have arrested five people for vandalizing street lights and water meters. The suspects were arrested during different operations that started on Thursday in the areas of Kiyanja, and Mandela cells in Kamukuzi Ward, Mbarara City South Division.
Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police spokesperson identified the suspects as Price Ahereza (19), Anton Rwamirama (20), and Amon Ndyamuhaki (17), all scrap storekeepers from Kiyanja cell. Others are Swamadu Kwikiriza (47) a businessman, and Edson Bainomugisha (33) a scrap storekeeper from Mandela cell Kakoba Ward.
Kasasira said that the police were able to recover 14 solar batteries, one solar charger controller, 13 water meters, 34 taps/ joints, electric cables, electric meters, and breaking implements.
He added that the police are also hunting for the owners of the scrap stores he identified as Tonny Ukasha, and Johnbosco Nuwasiima.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mbarara City Mayor revealed that the vandals are costing the council over sh100m to repair the vandalized street lights.
Kakyebezi appealed to the community to be vigilant and report to security so that more perpetrators can be apprehended.
Agaba Anthony the Kiyanja Cell chairperson commended the operations, noting that vandalizing street lights affects traders who operate businesses on the roadsides at night.
More than 1000 streetlights have been installed in Mbarara City under the USMID project since the 2019/20 financial year.
Meanwhile, Police in Kapchorwa have arrested eight people for vandalizing street lights on the newly constructed Kapchorwa-Suam road and Teryet High altitude stadium.
Fred Mark Chesang, the Sipi Region police spokesperson identified the suspects as Martin Siwa, and Bosco Chesilyong.
According to Chesang, the suspects were arrested in an intelligence-led operation following complaints of theft and vandalism of street lights along the roads.
“Others still on the run but we have received intelligence on their whereabouts, and at any time we are arresting them,” says Chesang.
Andrew Timothy Mangusho, the Kapchorwa Municipality Mayor, raised concern about the level of theft and vandalism of the solar street lights.
Last month, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) partnered with the Sebei community to combat vandalism and theft of road signage and Street lights along the Kapchorwa Suam Road.