The Uganda Police have arrested 30 scrap dealers in the capital Kampala and recovered an assortment of items from them.
According to a statement by the police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, the operation conducted on Monday involving 800 security personnel followed complaints of vandalism and sabotage on the transmission lines of electricity from Karuma to Olwiyo; Karuma to Lira, Karuma to Kawanda and Tororo to Bujagali.
“It has been established that criminals climbed up the pylon, past the power cabs to reach the top of the tower, where they would cut the pylons, wires, conductors and tower stabs, which would sometimes lead to the collapse of the pylon,” he said on Monday.
The statement added, “Theft of metals from utilities also occurred at substation transformers, and on underground pipes and cable wires. It is against this background that thefts from electric utilities and other utilities became one of our highest priorities due to the adverse consequences of service disruptions and its economic impact on our communities.”
Dressed in blue camouflage, FFP raided shops at Shamba Complex, Kisenyi, Owino Complex, New Park Mall, Nakitende Village, Usafi Market, Mwanga II Road, Musajja Alumbwa and Muzaana Road. The operation led to the arrest of 30 scrap dealers found selling suspected stolen copper wires.
Enanga also revealed that two lone dealers were identified along Mawanda road.
“These dealers have been facilitating criminals who have been vandalizing pylons along the major transmission lines from Karuma dam. We strongly believe this massive operation will definitely disrupt the supply line for scrap metal thefts and make it impossible for scrap yards to accept stolen metals.” He said.
Monday’s operation comes a fortnight after Uganda People’s Defense Force – UPDF, Military Police, CI, CID and FFU conducted an operation targeting dealers of suspected stolen motorcycles, motor vehicles and phones. At least 350 people were arrested.
