A man in Gatsibo District identified as Enock Uhawumugisha, 20, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing the power network to steal electricity cables.
Uhawumugisha was caught at about 12 noon in Ibare Village, Ngarama Cell in Ngarama Sector with 52kgs of electricity wires, which he allegedly cut from power lines in the area.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Uhawumugisha and others yet to be arrested, were cutting the wires from pylons and from houses.
“For some days, residents of Nyarubungo and Kigasa cells of Ngarama Sector have been complaining of power outage caused by people who cut and steal electricity cables connecting their homes. They suspected people selling scraps, including Uhawumugisha,” said SP Twizeyimana.
He added that during the search at Uhawumugisha’s hime, Police, local authorities and other community policing players recovered 52kgs of electricity wires, leading to his arrest.
Uhawumugisha claimed that he was buying the electricity cables from other people, who he did not disclose.
He was handed over to RIB at Ngarama station for further investigations.
Article 182 of the law determining offences and penalties states that any person who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years with a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million. (End)