The Police in Hoima City have arrested one suspect accused of stealing and vandalizing water meters belonging to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
The suspect whose details have been concealed by police for fear of jeopardizing investigations was arrested on Sunday night within the Hoima City Centre while attempting to vandalize a water meter
Authorities in Hoima City and officials from the National Water and sewerage Corporation (NWSC) have for long been complaining over the vandalism of water meters in the area, a vice they say has disrupted sufficient supply of water in the city.
The most affected areas are Lusaka, Bujumbura, Kinubi, Kijungu, Kiganda, Duhaga, Kihomboza, and Kiryatete.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, says the suspect with his accomplices still at large have for long been on police’s wanted list over vandalism of water meters.
According to Hakiza, investigations show that the stolen meters end up in the hands of scrap dealers. He says that the dealers smelt the meters to extract their precious coating. He adds that other vandals target water meters to obtain copper, which they melt to make fake currency coins.
Hakiza says that the suspect who is currently being detained at the Hoima city police station is cooperating well with detectives noting that once investigations are before to be charged.
He has appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals masquerading as utility company officials beyond normal working hours.
In August 2025, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (NWSC) Hoima Area accused scrap dealers of fuelling the surge in theft of water meters in Hoima City.
Statistics from NWSC Hoima then indicated that more than 30 water meters were being vandalized on a monthly basis.
Investigations from the NWSC then also revealed that the stolen meters end up in the hands of scrap dealers who allegedly smelt the meters to extract their precious coating for fabrication-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
