By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
Residents in Katakwi town council, Katakwi District, on Friday morning, 18th September 2026 woke up only to find floods of water in their compounds after unidentified thieves broke different cells and fled with water meter boxes.
Sadok Akutu, LCIII Katakwi Town Council, confirmed that the water department reported approximately 13 water meter boxes stolen by morning as they continued discovering and closing the leaking water taps from different scenes.
Akutu attributes says the theft could have been orchestrated by private plumbers, noting that a chisel and spanner were discovered in one of the scenes of crime.
He emphasized the need for community vigilance and reporting the new people in their community.
However, he stated that as chairman of security at the town council, they intend to tighten the security upon security meeting with the Katakwi District Police Commander over the current situation.
Gabriel Ogele Abuderi, LCI Angopet Cell doubling as the Chairperson of LCIs in Katakwi Town Council, attributes the theft incidents to declining patrols at night by police.
Nevertheless, Ogele also blamed community members over their laxity especially in reporting new faces to local authorities or security.
However, one client whose name was withheld confirmed that a case of theft has been reported under SD REF: 05/18/9/2026 and requested a special operation in all cells and neighboring districts where related equipment is being sold.
Meanwhile, the police in Katakwi Central Police Station have commenced investigations on the matter.
