The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has sounded the alarm over the growing vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which is leaving thousands in darkness.
Jonan Kiiza, the company’s spokesperson speaking to journalists said several cases of vandalism have been reported in the past few days.
“So, you automatically know there will not be electrons flowing in the wires” he warned,
He mentioned that in areas like Mijera, Nakasongola and as far as Kafu and Mityana, thieves have been tearing down key infrastructure. UEDCL recorded three major cases in just the last 57 days.
He also stated that the backlog of connections under government-funded schemes now stands at 277 households and those who joined the system early will be connected first.
“We are working on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Kiiza explained.
Also in the mix are customers who self-funded their connections. Kiiza reassured them: “I’m sure even now as we speak, they are being connected in different parts of the country.”
He further mentioned that the company is tightening its fists with both short-term and long-term strategies like working with law enforcers to hunt down vandals, launching community drives next week starting from Bombo, to engage residents in protecting transformers and lines and planning tech upgrades to address concerns about long electricity tokens and other billing frustrations.
