A man suspected of tampering with electricity infrastructure was found unconscious near a power pole in Luwero, with pliers and about 100 metres of electricity wire recovered at the scene.
It is not just UEDCL’s failures that are causing persistent power cuts in the country. In Luweero, the electricity gods appear to have had enough of suspected power vandals, with one man found unconscious near a power pole in circumstances police suspect involved tampering with an electricity line.
Musisi Kwizera was discovered on Thursday morning in Tebalyala Village, Bweyeyo Parish, Luweero Sub-county, with a pair of pliers on his body and electricity wire recovered from the scene — details that have added an ironic twist to the incident.
Savannah Region Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said the incident was reported at about 6:30am by the village chairperson, who alerted police after finding Kwizera unconscious near an electricity pole.
“Upon arrival, the officers documented the scene and found the man lying unconscious near an electricity pole, with a pair of pliers on his body,” Twiineamazima said.
Officers from Luweero Central Police Station, including Scene of Crime Officers, responded to the scene before rescuing Kwizera and rushing him to Luwero Hospital for medical attention.
Investigators recovered several items, including approximately 100 metres of electricity wire, a pair of pliers, a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle without number plates and a smartphone believed to belong to Kwizera.
If the suspected power vandalism is confirmed, the incident would be a case of someone allegedly trying to interfere with the very infrastructure that keeps homes and businesses running — only for the attempt to end with him needing emergency assistance.
Police also arrested Mose Sande, reportedly Kwizera’s brother, and detained him at Luweero Central Police Station to assist with investigations.
Twiineamazima said investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.
For now, the electricity gods will have to wait for the investigators’ findings. Police have yet to establish exactly what happened beside the power pole, and Kwizera’s condition following his transfer to hospital was not stated in the police account.