Mbale police officers who were on duty on Sunday night, 29th December, 2024 have been implicated for stealing the Mbale city Council generator.
This incident follows a series of similar thefts targeting the council offices. Just a week earlier, thieves broke into the council chambers and stole a 52-inch television.
The thieves reportedly breached the premises by creating a gap in the concrete perimeter wall surrounding the city offices, enabling them to steal the heavy equipment undetected.
The stolen generator was procured with over 2 million shillings three years back under Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project money which aims to enhance urban infrastructure.
According to Mbale City Council spokesperson, James Kutosi, the generator was intended to provide an alternative power source for the city’s financial management system and construction laboratory.
Kutosi expressed frustration at the theft, highlighting that it occurred despite the presence of police armed officers on duty which makes them suspict that it’s officers on duty behind the theft.
He says the theft, along with other recent incidents, points to a breakdown in security, especially since these things are happening right under the nose of the police officers guarding the premises.
Earlier in the year, the town clerk’s office was broken into, with thieves making off with three laptops and stocks of bitumen intended for road construction.
City authorities have called for a thorough investigation into the role of the police officers assigned to guard the premises during these thefts.
“The matter has been reported to the police for necessary action,” Kutosi said, urging immediate measures to address the security vulnerabilities.
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the incident saying investigations are ongoing.
