Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) has said it is grappling with rising vandalism of power infrastructure, partly driven by its own staff and masqueraders.
The damage has caused widespread blackouts, with UEDCL set to incur over shs3 billion in repairs.
The company Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa says they are ramping up efforts, including crackdowns and arrests of perpetrators and stricter worker identification protocols.
“Vandalism is treason. We’re putting in place stringent measures to end this vice once and for all,” Mwesigwa noted, adding that each of their going forward must present his or her computerized employee identification card to the client before doing any works.
Days after taking over power distribution from UMEME, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) arrested some of it’s staff in a vandalism racket and were instantly dismissed.
Speaking at the commissioning of UEDCL’s regional offices in Mbarara, Mwesigwa emphasized that the company is taking stronger measures to combat this issue, including the arrest of several perpetrators.
UEDCL also faces a financial setback, with over shs3 billion needed for the restoration of the damaged infrastructure.
“As I talk now, equipment has started reaching in the country and I am sure by the end of this month all the vandalized equipment, lines will have been repaired so that you don’t experience blackouts once again.
Vandalism is largely attributed to a mix of utility company workers, steel manufacturers, contractors, and unauthorized individuals. In response, the company is intensifying crackdowns in markets where stolen equipment is sold.
Additionally, UEDCL is implementing stricter identification protocols for all workers. This includes the use of unique identification numbers on uniforms and QR codes on work identity cards to help identify masqueraders.
“Each of our employee must have an identification number on his jacket or overall coat. If you see anyone in the field without it please arrest him. I want to congratulate the locals in Kanungu who have stepped up to wipe out masqueraders so I implore the communities to take charge of this infrastructure,”Mwesigwa noted.
Local leaders also expressed frustration over delays in power connections, despite having paid connection fees years ago.
“We paid for pre-paid meters and we have the receipts but years have gone we have never been connected. So I appeal to UEDCL to come to our rescue” Francis Basiime – LC1 Chairman Kiswahili Cell, Mbarara City.
Vandalism has caused significant disruptions, with many areas experiencing prolonged blackouts.
“You inherited a company with many problems,” Robert Kakyebezi mayor Mbarara city said.
“As a government institution now we don’t expect blackouts and now and then. You can imagine that some areas in mbarara city have gone days without electricity. Please please help us.”
Unlike their predecessor, UEDCL is planning an innual invested of USD 74million in power connections having secured what the managing director described as “credible and reliable” staff.
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