5 ARRESTED OVER STREET LIGHTS THEFT IN KABALE

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale—

The territorial police in Kabale have arrested five suspects accused of stealing street lights and solar panels, and allegedly selling them in Rubanda District.

The suspects are; Gerevazio Ampaire, alias Mukiga, 18, a herdsman and resident of Kigongi Cell, Central Ward, Kabale Municipality, Martin Muhereza, 28, a businessman and resident of Hamurwa, Rubanda District, Esera Mirembe, 40, a resident of Muruhita Village, Rubanda District, Gerevazio Habomugisha, 40, a resident of Hamurwa Village, Rubanda District and Edita Arinaitwe, 22, a businesswoman and resident of Kakore Cell, Rubanda District.

According to a police statement, between July and September 2024, the suspects allegedly conspired to steal and maliciously damage street lights in Kabale Municipality. The affected areas include Makanga Cell, Rwakaraba Cell, Rushoroza, and Nyabikoni. The damaged property, valued at UGX 225,750,000, belonged to the Government of Uganda and was specifically for Kabale Municipality.

The suspects reportedly carried out these acts on multiple occasions, selling the stolen items in Rubanda District to an individual identified as Nuwamanya, who remains at large. Nuwamanya is the husband of one of the suspects, Arinaitwe Edita.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, informed journalists this morning that the suspects were apprehended following an intelligence tip-off and were arrested at their hideout, while some accomplices are still on the run.

He added that during the arrests, a search was conducted, leading to the recovery of two solar batteries from Mirembe Esera and another individual, Mushwaza.

Maate also noted that the theft of street lights has been an ongoing issue in Kabale Municipality, with several cases reported at Kabale Police Station. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.

Local leaders, municipal officials, and the police have visited the crime scenes, and the five arrested suspects are now in police custody. Efforts to track down more accomplices continue.