Vandals targeting Utility infrastructure to be prosecuted under Anti-Terrorism Act, 2022

The Joint Security Agencies leaders have welcomed efforts from the office of the DPP to prosecute acts of vandalism of utility infrastructure, sabotage and destruction of public property under the Anti–Terrorism Act, 2002.

SCP Enanga Fred the Police Spokesperson says critical infrastructure acts as the life support system of everyday existence and that right now, the country has a highly complex and sophisticated system of electricity infrastructure and other utility infrastructure, that all Ugandans and visitors in the country rely on for their health, safety, security and economic well-being.

Therefore, any attack or destruction of a single point of our critical infrastructure could lead to disruptions or destruction that could harm the community and the country at large.3

Under Section 7(2) A person commits an act of terrorism for purposes of influencing the Government or intimidating the public or a section of the public and for a political, religious, social or economic aim, indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property carries out all or any of the following acts;

a) Intentional and unlawful manufacture, delivery, placement, discharge or detoriation of an explosive or other lethal device, whether attempted or actual, in, into or against a place of public use, a state of Government facility, a public transportation system or an infrastructure facility, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or extensive destruction likely to or actually resulting in major economic loss,

(g) Serious interference with or disruption of an electronic system.

“As a result, 5 suspects including Atusasire Richard, a 27 year old Electrician with Polocom Tech Engineering service; Mwekambe Innocent; Mwine Mutaho Johnson, a technician with UMEME Uganda Ltd, Mbarara office, Tashobya Edgar, aged 35 and Tumusiime Samuel, were charged to court, after they allegedly vandalised 500 meters of electricity wires in Butanga 2 village, in Isingiro district. Two motor vehicles a Nissan pick-up registration number UBD 498V and a Toyota Wish, registration number UBG 233A were impounded and exhibited,” says Enanga.

He adds that it is now evident from the continuous acts of sabotage and destruction of public property, that terrorism does not solely result from violent tactics such as active shooter events, IEDs, suicide and roadside bombs, etc, but also from saboteurs and other disaffected persons, targeting vital utility infrastructure;

“Going forward all agents, collaborators, dealers and brokers of utility infrastructure are informed of this new development. The Joint Security Agencies, the DPP and all stakeholders under the criminal justice system, remain committed to maintaining the safety of all utility infrastructure in the county and will aggressively pursue, all perpetrators causing significant damage to utility infrastructure. We also implore all members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around power installations in their areas, to the local council and nearest security agency.”