TikTok Outlaw Busted
A 27-year-old TikTok influencer from Busega, Kasule Saithin Brighton, is in serious legal trouble after posting a viral video in which he demonstrates how to illegally reconnect stolen electricity and dares others to follow suit.
In the clip, which was posted on June 12, 2025, Brighton is seen connecting “solido” supply wires makeshift cables used to bypass disconnection by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). Ending the clip with a cocky “Thank you, I love you,” he directly urges viewers:
“Whenever they cut your electricity, just reconnect it. They can never keep us in darkness.” he adds
The video caught the attention of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), who confirmed that on July 16, they flagged the clip and, in tandem with the Uganda Police Force and UEDCL, arrested Brighton.
Speaking at a security press briefing on Monday, ERA’s Ibrahim Kasita condemned the act of incitiment and illegal power connections.
“This is electricity theft. It is incitement of electricity theft. Let me be clear from the start, electricity theft is a crime. There is no justification for stealing power.” he said
He also made it clear why the issue is bigger than just stolen volts: “When someone steals electricity, treat it as if someone is stealing your money from your pocket. Because at the end of the day, you as a consumer will have to pay.”
“He openly bragged about illegally reconnecting electricity using previously disconnected supply wires, termed as solido, and incited members of the public to engage in similar illegal activities whenever disconnection occurred.” Kasita added
ERA and UEDCL condemned the act with strong words, stressing the danger posed to national infrastructure and to the lives of everyday Ugandans.
“That infrastructure is your infrastructure. It is the infrastructure of the public. No one owns that infrastructure apart from you, the public. Therefore, any individual tampering with that infrastructure is tampering with our lives.” he noted
TikTok Outlaw Busted
Now facing multiple counts, Brighton could be looking at a staggering 12 years behind bars under Section 88 of the Electricity Act for tampering, 10 years more under Section 90 for theft, and up to 20 times the estimated cost of the stolen electricity in fines. He also risks two additional years for working on power lines without an ERA installation permit.
“Working on electrical installations without an installation permit issued by the Installations Permit Committee of ERA is an offense and the culprit may be liable to two years imprisonment,” Kasita noted.
There were also stern warnings about the risks involved: “This conduct is not only an offense, but exposes citizens to electrician hazards, compromises reliability of service delivery, and results in substantial losses across the sector value chain. The losses are paid for by the customer, by you, the consumers.”
He further commended the Uganda Police Force for swiftly apprehending the suspects who are now in custody and assisting with further investigations. Kasita said that ERA will continue working with UEDCL and law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and that the integrity of Uganda’s electricity supply infrastructure is upheld.
