Security authorities have recommended shooting on-site criminals found vandalizing solar street lights installed along streets in Kabale municipality.
Authorities revealed the recommendation on Friday afternoon during the commissioning of a $1.99 million solar street light project under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, funded by the World Bank.
The solar lights, installed along Stadium, Mbarara, Katuna, Mukombe, Johnson, Jackson, Kisoro, Mukombe, Rwakiseta Kazooba, Muhumuza, and Rugarama roads, aim to reduce insecurity at night, ease the movement of locals at night, and beautify the town in preparation for elevation to city status.
However, Peter Nkurunungi, the Director of Geses Uganda Limited, a company that contracted the installation of the lights, explains that although the works were scheduled to be completed between June 6 and August 6, 2023, in accordance with contract terms, it failed to be achieved after criminals started vandalizing and stealing solar panels, batteries, and bulbs.
He notes that the vandals would target the lights during night hours. Nkurunungi adds that 17 cases of vandalism were registered, causing the company to incur additional expenses of about 60 million shillings to replace the stolen accessories.
Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha and Justin Barekye, Municipal Town Clerk, state that their repeated reporting of vandalism cases to security authorities in the area did not stop the act.
Godfrey Nyakahuma, Kabale Resident District Commissioner, and Elly Maate, police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, affirm that security is aware of the matter, mentioning that they have already agreed to shoot and neutralize any person found red-handed vandalizing the solar lights on-site.
They emphasize that neutralizing culprits on-site will serve as a deterrent to others with similar intentions.
