Vandals have wrecked a power transformer on Bwala hill in Masaka, grounding all the masts.
The transformer has been a vital source of power for the UBC and WBS TV masts in Masaka.
The UBS and WBS television signals in Masaka have gone off air.
Also affected are the booster stations for Bukedde FM, Radio West, Buddu FM, Top Radio, Voice of Africa, and Radio Star, whose masts are located on Bwala hill, about 15 Kilometers from Masaka town.
Ssozi Lwazi, the news editor of Masaka based Top Radio, says the programming has been interrupted and all unsponsored News bulletins suspended. He says that an effort to maintain a 24-hour transmission is proving difficult due to the high cost of fuel.
Damian Agaba, the in charged of the UBC Mast say the transformer was stolen last week. He says that he had earlier thought that the transformer was taken by UMEME because it was faulty.
Kirunda Magoola, the UMEME manager in Masaka, however says that his men have never picked the transformer for repair.
Magoola says UMEME has reported the matter to police adding that replacing the stolen transformer will take some time because it requires a new one.
UMEME is now looking for Ush38millions to replace the stolen transformer.
This latest vandalism brings to 50 the number of transformers that have so far been stolen in Masaka. According to a report by UMEME, 49 transformers were vandalized.
In April this year, UMEME launched an anti-transformer vandalism committee, which was tasked to investigate and report vandalism and illegal connections of electricity in Masaka, Sembabule, and Rakai.
It is not clear however the committee has made any progress.
