Uganda’s electricity sector has made significant strides, with access now at 57%—38% on-grid and 19% off-grid. Despite these achievements, electricity infrastructure vandalism remains a major threat to power supply reliability and access.
According to Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, CEO of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), “Vandalizing infrastructure hits us where it hurts most.” The ongoing destruction of power infrastructure significantly undermines Uganda’s goal of achieving 80% national grid connection under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
Uganda has implemented key projects to expand electricity access, including the Rural Electrification Programme, the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project funded by the World Bank, and the GET Access Program supported by the Government of Uganda, Germany, and the European Union. However, despite these initiatives, the country continues to face persistent power blackouts and limited electricity access. One of the major contributors to this problem is the vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
The severity of the issue has been highlighted by recent incidents of vandalism. The 132kV Mirama–Kabale–Karukara transmission line was vandalized just a month after it was commissioned. In Mukono, the collapse of five towers along the 132kV Owen Falls–Lugogo transmission line led to a nationwide blackout lasting over three hours, with prolonged load shedding affecting parts of Kampala for a week. In Tororo District, 29 towers on the 132kV Tororo–Lira transmission line were heavily vandalized, causing 13 towers to collapse before construction was even completed. Similarly, the 220kV Bujagali–Tororo transmission line suffered significant structural failures due to vandalism.
The destruction has extended to high-capacity transmission lines, such as the 400kV Karuma–Kawanda evacuation line, which was deliberately damaged before it could be commissioned. On the Karuma–Kawanda transmission line alone, 9.5 kilometers of aluminum conductor wire were stolen, further delaying the integration of the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Plant into the national grid. In June 2024, the Karuma-Kawanda evacuation line suffered another major setback when it was maliciously destroyed before Uganda’s citizens could even start benefiting from its power generation. This forced the government to start paying for damages before the power plant could become operational.
The impact of vandalism on Uganda’s economy and society is severe. Power blackouts not only disrupt homes and businesses but also increase operational costs for industries, hospitals, and educational institutions. Unreliable electricity slows down industrial production, resulting in higher costs for manufacturers, job losses, and reduced government revenue. Investors who rely on stable power supply may shift their businesses to countries with more reliable infrastructure, further affecting economic growth.
Ultimately, it is Ugandans who bear the financial burden of vandalism. The cost of replacing stolen or damaged infrastructure contributes to maintaining or even increasing electricity tariffs, making power less affordable for consumers. Additionally, the government is forced to divert taxpayer money to repair vandalized infrastructure, meaning public funds that could have been used to improve roads, hospitals, and schools are instead spent on replacing electricity infrastructure.
To address this crisis, the government enacted the Electricity Amendment Act 2022, which imposes a 15-year prison sentence or a fine of UGX 1 billion, or both, for convicted vandals. While this legal provision is a step in the right direction, enforcement must be strengthened, and public awareness must be heightened. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that penalties are strictly implemented to deter would-be vandals.
Ugandans must also take responsibility in protecting electricity infrastructure. Communities should be vigilant and report suspicious activities to security officers to prevent vandalism before it occurs. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people on how vandalism affects power supply reliability and increases electricity costs.
One of the biggest drivers of vandalism is the scrap metal industry, which provides market for stolen copper and steel from electricity infrastructure. Stronger regulation of the scrap business is needed to close this illegal trade. Scrap dealers should be required to obtain permits, and businesses should provide proof of the legal origin of materials they buy and sell. Companies found dealing in vandalized infrastructure should face heavy fines and criminal charges.
The vandalism of Uganda’s electricity infrastructure is a crisis that threatens national development. If left unchecked, it will continue to undermine industrialization, job creation, and the overall economy. The Electricity Amendment Act 2022 has laid the foundation for stricter penalties, but additional measures, including community surveillance, enforcement of laws, and tighter regulation of the scrap industry, are urgently needed.
A stable electricity supply is crucial for Uganda’s development. By working together—government, communities, businesses, and security agencies—Uganda can safeguard its power infrastructure, ensure reliable electricity, and create a more prosperous future for all.
By Mariam Ramathan Nanono
Communication Officer