By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
BUGIRI
Police in Bugiri have conducted an intelligence-led disruptive operation targeting criminal gangs involved in vandalism, theft of water meters, electricity wires and lightning arresters.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday 10th November 2026 from 1100hrs to 1700hrs, following various complaints.
In October 2026, Police registered massive vandalism and theft of over 25 water meters and taps belonging to National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
In the same month, about 200 meters of ABC electricity wires were vandalized in Namakoko Village, Nankoma Sub County.
In November 2026, lightning arresters were vandalized at Imuli Government Primary School and in homes in Musongora Village, and about 5 meters of copper cable running beneath a Police CCTV camera in Musongora were cut and stolen.
In the same month, a criminal gang in Namakoko Village kidnapped a young man, illegally confined him in their camp nicknamed “basement”, tortured him for two days and robbed him of his money. The victim was later rescued by Police in coordination with local leaders.
It is upon this background that a joint team comprising of Police, ISO, UPDF Reserves, and Local Council leaders embarked on an intelligence-led operation.
ASP Kasadha Micheal the police Spokesperson for Busoga East said the operation targeted Soweto gang – Kikabala, Kapyanga Sub County, B13 gang – Busanzi Cell, Western Division, Bugiri Municipality, Obama Street gang – Bus Park, Katawo Cell, Eastern Division, Bugiri Municipality, 360 gang – Musongora Village, Nkusi Ward, Bugiri Municipality, Namakoko gang – Namakoko Village, Nankoma Sub County and three scrap stores belonging to notorious dealers in Bugiri Municipality.
On 10th November 2026 at around 1100hrs, local leaders in Musongora Village apprehended three juveniles red-handed cutting cable wire using pliers. The same juveniles had stolen cash from a nearby restaurant and assaulted the owner.
Upon joint interrogation, the juveniles confessed that they and others still at large have been vandalizing lightning arresters, water meters, taps and copper cables.
They alleged that they sell copper and aluminum to scrap dealers at about Shs20,000 per kilo, and use the money to buy food, clothes and alcohol. They also admitted operating as far as Bugobi in Namutumba District, and named their colleagues and the scrap dealers who buy from them.
Acting on this information, the joint team conducted cordon and search operations in all the targeted areas leading to the arrest of 12 suspects.
Exhibits recovered include 30 original tricycle padlocks, vandalized NWSC taps, pipes and other parts, UEDCL ABC electricity wires, Marijuana and breaking implements.
At Namakoko, Police recovered breaking implements, marijuana and suspected stolen property, and destroyed the illegal “basement” structure used to kidnap and torture victims. The suspects had fled before the arrival of the team.
At Soweto gang hideout in Kikabala, Police recovered marijuana and breaking implements.
ASP Kasadha said police is tracing for other suspects at large, including the leaders of the gangs and the scrap dealers who buy vandalized government property.
