By Ben Musanje
Mpigi District was thrown into shock and anger after Buyaaya–Kitojjo village stayed in total darkness for nearly two weeks. What first appeared to be a normal power outage has now exploded into a major political and criminal controversy involving a former Member of Parliament.
The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has confirmed that electricity was deliberately cut off after power poles and distribution cables were vandalized, an act that could send the culprit to jail.
Darkness After Election Defeat
The blackout followed closely after Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi lost his parliamentary seat in the recent elections to NRM’s Susan Nakawuki. Residents and local leaders strongly believe the power cut was an act of anger and revenge after the defeat.
UEDCL officials explained that their teams initially treated the incident as a normal outage after receiving an alert. However, when engineers reached the area, they discovered that three electricity poles had been deliberately cut down and distribution lines destroyed.
UEDCL management clarified that this was not an accident or technical fault but a clear case of vandalism. The company immediately reported the matter to police, and a criminal case was opened at Buwaya Police Post under CRP 0114.
Community Fingers Point to Politicians
Residents alleged that politicians who lost elections were behind the destruction of the power infrastructure. They explained that the power line had originally been established with support from Nsibambi during his time as MP.
Community members said that shortly after losing the election, Nsibambi issued warnings that electricity could be disconnected. These warnings, they claim, later turned into action.
Local council leaders used the incident to sensitize residents about the fact that electricity infrastructure belongs to the government and the public, not individuals, regardless of who contributed funds or support during installation.
Village Leaders Reveal Details
The Chairman of Buyaaya–Kitojjo village, John Bosco Muliika, revealed that Nsibambi personally went to his office and talked about plans to disconnect electricity. According to Muliika, Nsibambi accused a resident, Counsel Dennis Lugaya, of keeping chickens that were consuming too much power.
However, instead of using proper legal and technical channels, the former MP allegedly ordered the disconnection in a way that affected the entire village.
Mbizzinnya Ward Councillor Benitah Nansubuga added that residents had earlier informed leaders that Counsel Lugaya supported a rival candidate during the elections. She noted that many people believed political anger was the real reason behind the power disconnection.
UEDCL Issues Stern Warning
UEDCL officials strongly warned against the growing belief that individuals own transformers or power lines simply because they helped bring electricity to an area.
The company clarified that once electricity infrastructure is installed, it becomes the property of UEDCL and the government. No individual, politician, or sponsor has the right to switch off power, disconnect customers, or cause blackouts.
UEDCL emphasized that such actions are illegal and punishable by law. The company further explained that affected residents have the right to sue anyone who deliberately disconnects electricity without authorization. They stressed that whoever committed the offence would face legal consequences.
Police Step In
District Police Commander SP Robert Kuzaara called on community members to remain vigilant and report any acts of vandalism immediately. He explained that police were ready to arrest and prosecute anyone found destroying public infrastructure.
Police and UEDCL also agreed to strengthen cooperation with local security committees to ensure the protection of electricity facilities and guarantee stable power supply.
Nsibambi Admits His Actions
Earlier, Nsibambi openly expressed anger following his election loss. He stated that after losing to the NRM candidate, he decided to withdraw all the support he had previously given to communities in the area.
He admitted that he personally switched off a power transformer he had installed to supply electricity to Buyaya village. He further explained that when UEDCL staff and police officers attempted to reconnect the transformer the following day, he responded by cutting down electricity poles.
The former MP narrated that when results showed he had lost in Buwama, an area where he had invested heavily, he simply went home and slept, feeling emotionally drained.
Claims of Heavy Investment
Nsibambi defended his actions by listing massive investments he claimed to have made in Mawokota North. These included installing solar street lights, supporting police stations, providing garbage collection services, setting up a transmitter for a local radio station, and maintaining several roads using his own equipment.
He also said he had bought garbage trucks serving major towns, installed solar panels, distributed bean seedlings worth millions of shillings, extended electricity to Bukonoka, conducted household disinfection campaigns, and organized annual free music events.
According to him, despite investing Shs570 million to install a 6.4-kilometre electricity line in Bukasa, he received zero votes there, something he said deeply hurt him.
Emotional Breakdown and Controversial Remarks
Nsibambi described the emotional toll of the defeat, saying his health deteriorated and his weight dropped drastically. He explained that while two of his daughters congratulated him after the loss, many of his supporters reacted with anger.
He criticized voters, claiming that many people continuously demand handouts such as boreholes, fish ponds, mats, and other items. He argued that some people expect to be helped endlessly instead of becoming self-reliant.
He also revealed that he was once advised by a Mengo technocrat to abandon politics due to poor health in exchange for money, an offer he said he rejected.
Withdrawal of Support
Following the elections, Nsibambi announced that he had withdrawn scholarships for 66 students, retaining support for only seven. He also revealed plans to build a heavily guarded home fitted with CCTV cameras, security guards, dogs, barbed wire, and fencing.
He warned that no one seeking assistance would be allowed access to him in the future unless he stood unopposed in future elections.
What Lies Ahead
With police investigations ongoing and UEDCL maintaining that vandalism of power infrastructure is a serious criminal offence, Nsibambi could face arrest, prosecution, and possible imprisonment if found guilty.
Although electricity has now been restored to Buyaaya–Kitojjo village, the incident has exposed a dangerous mix of politics, power, and public infrastructure, leaving many residents fearful that political anger could once again plunge them into darkness. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
