Three suspects, Paul Kato (28), an electrician, Fredrick Makumbi (26), also known as Mark, a driver, and Edisan Saava (25), were arraigned before the Makindye Magistrate’s Utility Court and remanded to Luzira Prison until August 19, 2024. They are accused of damaging telecommunications masts in Greater Masaka and Jinja.
Magistrate Siena Owomugisha read five charges to Kato, four charges to Makumbi, and three charges to Saava, all of which they denied. The accused are charged with willfully and unlawfully vandalizing telecommunications installations, in violation of the Protection of Telecommunications Installations under Section 83(1)(b) and Criminal Trespass under Section 302(a) of the Penal Code Act.
Kato and Makumbi are accused of damaging and removing a 98-meter DC cable worth UGX 1,069,031 million from a mast site in Lwengo district on May 20, 2024. They are also alleged to have unlawfully damaged and removed 50 DC meters of cable and approximately 20 meters of earthing wires from a mast in Kalisizo town on May 31, 2024. Additionally, they are accused of removing 40 DC meter cables valued at UGX 1,398,668 in Nyendo, Masaka, on July 3, 2024.
Kato is also charged with trespassing with the intent to damage and inconvenience by stealing equipment at Nkoni in Lwengo. Saava is charged with malicious damage, trespass, and cutting or damaging a radio remote unit (RRU) power cable connected to a telecommunication mast at Wanyama Cell in Bugembe, Jinja.
Abdul-Salam Waiswa, the UCC prosecutor, stated that despite the suspects’ denial, they have gathered sufficient evidence to present in court to ensure justice is served. He expressed satisfaction with the arrest and emphasized that the evidence against the suspects is strong.
Waiswa urged youths not to engage in vandalism, emphasizing that telecommunications towers benefit everyone. “These towers are good for everybody. When you cut that fiber cable, you are not just affecting one company, you are affecting the entire ecosystem.”
He added that if found guilty, the suspects could face imprisonment for up to five years or more. Investigations are almost complete, and Waiswa plans to use the next two weeks to collect evidence from investigators to ensure a guilty verdict.
