HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I An account of how a suspected vandal perished in Lugazi has emerged after the man was electrocuted while attempting to climb a high-voltage electricity transmission tower along the Owen Falls–Lugazi transmission line in Lugazi.
The incident, confirmed by Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), occurred when the unidentified man reportedly attempted to access the steel structure believed to be part of electricity infrastructure targeted by vandals.
According to the company, the man was discovered lifeless on the tower after he was fatally electrocuted by the high-voltage installation.
The body was found wedged within the metal beams of the transmission tower and hanging upside down, creating a challenging situation for authorities who had to organize a specialised technical team to safely retrieve the remains.
In a public statement, UETCL explained that the individual is believed to have been attempting to vandalise the electricity infrastructure when the fatal accident occurred.
“UETCL informs the public that a suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to climb a transmission tower on the Owen Falls–Lugazi transmission line in Lugazi. The individual is currently suspended on the tower as arrangements are being made for a technical team to safely retrieve the body,” the company said.
The matter has since been handed over to the Uganda Police Force for further investigation.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, said police had taken interest in the incident and were working to establish the identity of the deceased and circumstances surrounding the attempted vandalism.
UETCL used the incident to warn the public against attempting to access or vandalise electricity transmission infrastructure, noting that such installations carry extremely dangerous currents that can result in instant death or severe injury.
The power utility also urged communities living near power lines and transmission towers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.
Electricity infrastructure vandalism has become a growing concern across Uganda, often leading to power supply disruptions and significant economic losses.
In November 2025, another suspected vandal died in Mukono District after becoming trapped while attempting to dismantle parts of a high-voltage transmission tower.
Authorities say the destruction of a tower in Mukono last year blocked the transmission of about four million units of electricity and affected more than 128,000 consumers, including factories operating along the country’s industrial corridor.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has previously condemned such acts, describing them as a serious threat to national development.
“Vandalising power infrastructure is not just theft; it is an attack on national stability, public safety and our economic progress,” she said while addressing earlier incidents.
Similarly, the Electricity Regulatory Authority has warned that vandalism of electricity infrastructure continues to cause blackouts, delay energy projects and lead to the loss of critical transmission materials across the country.
Security agencies have since intensified enforcement operations, with police recently arresting several suspects linked to cable theft and vandalism of electricity installations within the greater Kampala metropolitan area.
