By Elijah Khisa
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured its first-ever conviction in a terrorism case arising from the deliberate vandalism and destruction of electricity transmission infrastructure, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence.
The development came to light on October 6, 2026, when the International Crimes Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Dr Andrew Bashaija, convicted Muwonge Ibrah alias Kimbowa Ibrah on two counts of terrorism and one count of terrorism financing under a plea-bargain arrangement.
Muwonge was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for terrorism and five years for terrorism financing, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The case arose from a coordinated campaign to destroy electricity transmission infrastructure in parts of Central Uganda between November and December 2022.
Fourteen high-voltage electricity pylons and poles forming part of the Owen Falls–Lugogo, Bujagali–Kawanda, Owen Falls–Namanve and Kawanda–Kapeka transmission lines were cut or destroyed.
The attacks caused widespread power outages and disrupted essential services, including water supply, health services, industry, communications, financial services and education.
The destruction also resulted in significant economic losses and necessitated the deployment of an expensive emergency thermal power plant at Namanve to supplement electricity supply to the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Investigations established that Muwonge, alias Kimbowa Ibrah, was a leader of a subversive group known as the Uganda Defence Forces (UDF), which investigations linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
He used a WhatsApp group to mobilise and recruit youths and coordinated the destruction of electricity infrastructure as part of the group’s objectives to sabotage Government programmes, disrupt economic and social activities and ultimately facilitate the overthrow of Government.
Muwonge financed and facilitated the attacks by providing money for the purchase of implements, transportation and payment of those who carried out the vandalism.
Mobile phone evidence, including photographs, videos, audio recordings and communications, further linked him to the planning, financing and execution of the attacks.
About eight prosecution witnesses had testified before Muwonge opted for a plea bargain.
In determining the sentence, the court considered the grave and premeditated nature of the offences, the involvement of a gang, Muwonge’s role as a mastermind, the extensive damage to critical national infrastructure and the resulting losses, as well as the need for deterrence.
The court also considered his guilty plea, remorse, status as a father and breadwinner, and the fact that the offences did not result in loss of life.
The case was prosecuted by Jacquelyn Okui, Chief State Attorney at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The landmark conviction underscores the seriousness with which Uganda treats attacks on critical national infrastructure and demonstrates the ODPP’s commitment to holding accountable those who finance, facilitate or participate in acts of terrorism that threaten national security, essential services and the country’s economic stability.
