Stolen Kabale streetlights recovered in Rubanda, five arrested
The suspects were apprehended following an intelligence tip-off and were arrested at their hideout, while some accomplices are still on the run.
Rubanda: The territorial police in Kabale have arrested five suspects accused of stealing streetlights and solar panels that they allegedly sold in Rubanda District.
The suspects have been identified as Ampaire Gerevazio, alias Mukiga, 18, a herdsman and resident of Kigongi Cell, Central Ward, Kabale Municipality, and Muhereza Martin, 28, a businessman and a resident of Hamurwa, Rubanda District.
Others are Mirembe Esera, 40, a resident of Muruhita Village, Rubanda District; Habamugisha Gerevazio, 40, a resident of Hamurwa Village, Rubanda District; and Arinaitwe Edita, 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 streetlights 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, told journalists on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 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 additional accomplices continue.
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