Kabale District security authorities have imposed a suspension on the scrap business within the district. Godfrey Nyakahuma, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, announced the immediate ban due to the increasing incidents of vandalism on government infrastructure and theft of household metallic items.
Nyakahuma highlighted concerns over the rise in vandalism of metallic items, which are often sold to scrap dealers. He expressed worry about potential threats to the High Voltage power line construction, connecting Mirama in Ntungamo to Hamurwa in Rubanda, as it primarily consists of metallic poles that could be targeted for vandalism.
However, Robert Matsiko Runyatsi, Chairperson for the Kabale District Scrap Dealers Association, expressed concerns about the suspension’s impact on the livelihoods of scrap dealers. Runyatsi mentioned that the sudden halt in their business operations would create financial challenges, as many dealers have bank loans and children’s school fees to pay.
