Residents of Katakwi Town Council in Katakwi District woke up Friday to flooded compounds after suspected thieves broke into water connections and stole several water meter boxes, leaving taps leaking in different parts of the town.
By Friday morning, about 13 water meter boxes had reportedly been stolen, according to Katakwi Town Council LCIII Chairperson Sadok Akutu. Akutu said the town’s water department was still discovering damaged connections and closing leaking taps at various scenes.
He suspected the theft could involve private plumbers, noting that a chisel and spanner were recovered from one of the scenes. Akutu urged residents to remain vigilant and report unfamiliar people in their communities to local leaders and security authorities.
As chairperson of the town council security committee, he said they would meet the Katakwi District Police Commander to review the situation and strengthen security in the affected areas.
Gabriel Ogele Abuderi, the LC1 chairperson of Angopet Cell and head of LC1 chairpersons in Katakwi Town Council, attributed the incidents partly to reduced night patrols by police.He also called on residents to improve community vigilance and report unfamiliar faces to local authorities and security teams.
A resident whose name was withheld said a case of theft had been reported at Katakwi Central Police Station under SD Reference 05/18/9/2026. The resident called for a special operation across the affected cells and neighbouring districts where stolen water equipment could potentially be sold.
Police at Katakwi Central Police Station have since opened investigations into the thefts, with several complaints already registered. Authorities are also continuing to identify the affected water connections and assess the extent of the damage caused by the stolen meter boxes-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
