RUBIRIZI – Communities in three villages of Kicwamba Sub-County, Rubirizi District, are living in fear after darkness turned their area into a criminal hub, following the destruction and theft of valuable electricity power wires.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The affected villages include Busonga 1A, Busonga 2A, and Busonga 2B, all in Nyakashozi Parish, which remain in darkness as unknown thieves broke into the area, systematically cut down electricity poles, and made off with power wires.
Busonga area Chairperson Christopher Birungi said that for three weeks, residents have lived without electricity, leaving traders with spoiled goods and the village dangerously dark, fueling a surge in nighttime thefts.
Birungi confirmed that despite reporting the matter to both electricity authorities and the police, residents received no meaningful response, forcing the community to speak out through the media.
“We have been without electricity for three weeks now. Traders have lost their goods. The village is unsafe at night. Thefts have increased because of the darkness,” Birungi said.
The Chairperson accuses UEDCL staff of possible involvement in the vandalism, demanding an immediate security investigation and warning that residents will lynch any thieves they catch themselves.
Kawa Evarist, Chairperson of Busonga Catholic Church, painted an even grimmer picture, stating that residents now fear for their lives as thieves take full advantage of the darkness caused by the power outage.
He reported that the suspects recently raided Busonga Parents School, stealing animals with boldness at night, turning what was once a safe, tight-knit community into one living in constant terror.
Specioza Kamugisha, a trader at Busonga trading centre, stated that she is facing big losses and financial devastation, as she struggles to repay a loan taken to start her business.
She urgently called on the government and electricity officials to restore the situation, noting that children have nowhere to study at night and residents fear moving after dark due to rising thefts.
“All my goods have gone to waste. I took a loan to start my business, and now I am struggling to repay it. Children have nowhere to study at night. Residents are afraid to move after dark because thefts have increased. There is no security protection due to the lack of electricity,” Specioza said.
Amid the anguish, UEDCL technician Agume Samuel confirmed the company has opened a police theft case to trace those who stole electricity wires and vandalized property.
“We have already opened a theft case at the police station to trace and investigate the people who stole the electricity wires and vandalized the residents’ property. Police have started their work to hunt down the criminals,” Samuel said.
He urged residents to remain calm, check the IDs of anyone claiming to be UEDCL staff, and arrest suspicious persons for police investigation, while condemning the vandalism and warning that any culprit once arrested will be prosecuted.
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