The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court at Makindye has sentenced Sibaminya Sadick to five years in prison after finding him guilty of vandalising telecommunications infrastructure, theft, and criminal trespass.

The court heard that on 7 March 2026, Sibaminya unlawfully entered a telecommunications mast site in Kibaale District, where he cut and removed critical telecommunications equipment and cables before he was apprehended at the scene.

Sibaminya was convicted under Section 83(1)(b) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 for vandalism, alongside offences of theft and criminal trespass under the Penal Code Act.

The court imposed separate sentences of one year for criminal trespass, two years for vandalism, and two years for theft, resulting in a combined sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

The damaged telecommunications infrastructure was valued at UGX 23.6 million, according to the evidence presented in court.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure disrupts connectivity, increases network maintenance costs, and affects the expansion of communication services to communities.

Telecommunications infrastructure supports essential services, including voice calls, internet access, broadcasting, financial services, education, healthcare, and emergency communications.

UCC said it continues to work with telecom operators, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and local communities to prevent infrastructure vandalism and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The regulator has also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of vandalism, noting that protecting communications infrastructure is a shared responsibility.