The Rwanda National Police has arrested five people who were allegedly stealing electricity cables while posing as staff of the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), causing residents to lose access to electricity. The suspects were arrested in Jali Sector, Gasabo District, in the City of Kigali.
Suspects Posed as REG Technicians
According to the Police, the arrests followed investigations conducted between August 21 and September 9, 2026. The suspects allegedly posed as REG technicians, climbed electricity poles and stole electrical equipment and cables supplying power to homes.
Some of those arrested had previously worked for the Rwanda Energy Group, REG. The suspects were found in possession of several items, including REG uniforms, pliers, boots, wrenches, climbing belts used to climb electricity poles, electricity cables and other equipment.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/bank-of-kigali-and-ifad-to-invest-21-million-to-support-rwandas-farmers/
Suspects Allegedly Misled Residents
The Spokesperson for Police in the City of Kigali, CIP Wellars Gahonzire, said the suspects stole equipment from power poles after misleading residents into believing that they were REG staff carrying out electricity-related work.
CIP Gahonzire urged residents to remain vigilant whenever they see people climbing electricity poles while claiming to be REG employees.
he said: “Whenever residents see them they should give information to the Police because it has been established that they are thieves stealing electricity cables, which causes residents to lose power. This can also be a cause of security disturbances in an area where power has been cut.”
Police Warn Residents About Electricity Scams
CIP Gahonzire also warned residents against people who ask for money while promising to connect them to electricity at a cheap price.
he said: “Residents are also reminded to avoid listening to people who ask for money claiming they will connect them to electricity cheaply. Those too are scammers aiming to steal from residents. Please give information wherever you see them so they can be arrested and punished.”
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/president-kagame-holds-talks-with-omans-sultan-haitham-bin-tariq/
Police Warn Against Vandalizing Electricity Infrastructure
The Rwanda National Police has warned people who vandalize electricity infrastructure that such acts will not be tolerated, describing them as harmful to the country’s development.
CIP Gahonzire also cautioned traders who buy used electrical equipment, saying they may unknowingly purchase items stolen by criminals and later resell them to residents. he said: “Anyone found with electrical equipment who cannot show where they got it from will also be treated as a thief and punished.”
Offenders Face Up to Five Years in Prison
Article 182 of Law No.68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that anyone who deliberately destroys or damages, in any way, a building in whole or in part, a house, a bridge, a dam, a water pipe and its channel, a railway line, or any communication or electricity equipment, wells or any other structures that do not belong to them, commits an offense.
If convicted by a court, the offender is liable to imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million.
