Nakawa Magistrate Court has remanded a police officer and 17 other suspects over alleged involvement in a large-scale power infrastructure vandalism racket — now being prosecuted under terrorism-related charges.
Constable Driver Emmanuel Kato, 34, attached to Mukono Central Police Station, was arraigned before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Wednesday alongside 16 others on charges tied to systematic sabotage of the national electricity grid — acts that the State contends were aimed at intimidating the public and crippling critical services.
Prosecutors say that between 2022 and May 2025, the accused targeted electricity infrastructure across multiple districts including Kampala, Luweero, Mityana, and Nakasongola, allegedly disrupting power to key institutions such as Luweero Industries and Nakasongola Military Hospital.
The accused did not take plea, as the charges — filed under Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act — are capital in nature and only triable by the High Court.
The gravity of the crime has drawn alarm not just for its scale, but for the involvement of individuals linked to the very institutions tasked with upholding public order and national security.
“The fact that someone from within the police ranks is among the suspects raises serious questions about internal accountability,” a senior official familiar with the case told this reporter under condition of anonymity.
State Prosecutor Martin Odong confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with more suspects believed to be at large.
The case returns to court on July 17 for mention.
Officials from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) described the vandalism wave as “deliberate economic sabotage.” UEDCL spokesperson Jonan Kiiza said the arrests followed a coordinated operation involving CID, Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), formerly CMI, and the UPDF.
“The recent power outages nationwide were not random technical glitches — they were acts of calculated destruction,” Kiiza told journalists. “This is not just vandalism. It’s economic warfare.”
The Electricity (Amendment) Act 2022 prescribes penalties of up to 15 years in jail or fines as high as Shs 2 billion for power-related sabotage — reflecting the high stakes for Uganda’s development and security.
Beyond economic impact, the disruption to critical infrastructure has raised alarms about the fragility of essential services and the vulnerability of military and medical installations.
“These acts compromise the country’s internal resilience. They impact schools, hospitals, security, and daily life,” Kiiza warned, calling for a multi-agency crackdown on what he called “a deeply embedded network of economic criminals.”
UEDCL says it spends billions annually to replace damaged infrastructure — funds that could otherwise improve service delivery or expand grid access.
Analysts say the involvement of a police officer in such a high-profile criminal enterprise could deepen public skepticism about institutional integrity.
“This isn’t just about stolen wires. It’s about whether Ugandans can trust the systems designed to protect them,” said political analyst Sarah Namusoke.
As the case unfolds, focus now turns to whether authorities will pursue the full network behind the vandalism — and whether the incident signals a broader institutional rot.
