TORORO: The Police in Tororo district has arrested three people in connection with the alleged vandalism of water installations that has left over 200 water meters stolen in less than one week.
The trio, including scrap dealers, was arrested from a hideout in Amagoro A village and Water Village in Tororo Municipality following a tip-off from an informant that led to the recovery of the exhibits.
The theft has left National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in huge losses since the water is left to flow overnight and in terms of meter replacement.
The Police, with the help of a sniffer dog, on Tuesday morning arrested Raymond Chelengat, 26, after Christine Namakwa, whose water meter had been stolen the previous night, reported the matter to the Police.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Police again swung into action following a tip-off and smoked out Daniel Oroni and Bernard Mugabi, both residents of Water Village, from their hideout.
Tororo district Crime Investigations Department officer (CID), Moses Mukooli, confirmed the development, saying they have obtained relevant information to help them with investigations into the matter.
He said upon the arrest of the suspects who are scrap dealers, they conducted a thorough search in their stores and recovered several damaged water meters and water pipes.
“Inquiries are at hand with the objective of doing more recoveries, arrests and prosecution,’’ Mukooli said.
NWSC Tororo area manager, Fred Businge, said over 200 meters had been vandalised in less than a week.
He added that the crimes are committed at night with the vandals jumping over perimeter walls to access private premises while others have been stolen from the public standby pipes.
Businge said on average, 30 meters are stolen daily which has forced them to report the matter to the district security committee for quick action.
