Hoima city security committee suspends metal scrap business

Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hoima city security committee has suspended the metal scrap business citing massive vandalism of government property. Both the city authorities and security committee accuse scrap dealers of the rampant theft of solar panels, manhole covers, and batteries among other items on major streets within the city center.

The most affected streetlights whose batteries, manhole covers, and solar panels have been stolen are Kwebiha, Bunyoro Kitara, Republic, Coronation, Kabalega, Main, and Kabalega streets. Badru Mugabi, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner-RCC explains that following the massive vandalism of government property, they have resolved to halt the metal scrap business with immediate effect until security comes up with appropriate measures for regulating the business.

He says the security committee has directed police within Hoima city to apprehend whoever violates the directives until new regulations and guidelines are put in place to effectively manage the situation. According to Mugabi, police will keep on patrolling the city center and the outskirts during the day and night to ensure that no scrap business takes place until further notice.

Brian Kaboyo, the Hoima city mayor says the decision is meant to help protect government properties that are being vandalized by the scrap dealers. Innocent Ahimbisibwe, the Hoima City clerk says that between December last year to June this year, more than 200 manhole covers have been stolen, adding that reliable information indicates that the manhole covers end up in the hands of scrap dealers.

Tonny Ssenyonga, the Chairperson of Hoima City scrap dealers says that they will respect the decision taken by the security committee. He has called on all scrap dealers to be patient and adhere to the directive. There are over 200 scrap dealers operating in various parts of Hoima city. In 2019, the then Hoima municipal council lost 140 million Shillings in the theft of manhole covers installed on seven newly built roads under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructural Development Project-USMID.

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