The International Crimes Division of the High Court has sentenced Muwonge Ibrah alias Kimbowa Ibrah to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to terrorism offences linked to the destruction of electricity infrastructure in central Uganda.
Justice Dr Andrew Bashaija handed down the sentence after Muwonge entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution on two counts of terrorism and one count of terrorism financing.
The offences were committed during a series of attacks on electricity transmission infrastructure between November and December 2022, according to court records.
The attacks targeted several major transmission lines, with 14 high-voltage electricity pylons and poles cut or destroyed along the Owen Falls–Lugogo, Bujagali–Kawanda, Owen Falls–Namanve and Kawanda–Kapeka transmission lines.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jacquelyn Okui, told court that the destruction triggered widespread power outages and disrupted several essential sectors of the economy.
Among the affected services were water supply, health facilities, industries, communications, financial services and education.
The destruction of the infrastructure also resulted in significant economic losses and forced Government to deploy an emergency thermal power plant at Namanve to help maintain electricity supply to the Kampala metropolitan area.
Investigations linked Muwonge to a group identified as the Uganda Defence Forces (UDF), which investigators said was associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Prosecutors told court that Muwonge used a WhatsApp group to recruit and mobilise youths and coordinate activities targeting electricity infrastructure.
He was also accused of financing the operations by providing money for equipment, transport and payments to individuals involved in destroying the power installations.
Evidence recovered from mobile phones, including photographs, videos, audio recordings and messages, was presented in court as part of the evidence linking Muwonge to the planning, financing and execution of the attacks.
After the prosecution had presented evidence from about eight witnesses, Muwonge opted to enter a plea bargain.
Court considers aggravating and mitigating factors
In determining the sentence, Justice Bashaija considered the seriousness and premeditated nature of the offences, Muwonge’s alleged role in coordinating the attacks and the involvement of a group.
The court also considered the damage caused to critical national infrastructure, the resulting economic losses and the need to deter similar acts of sabotage.
However, the judge also took into account Muwonge’s guilty plea, his expression of remorse, his responsibilities as a father and breadwinner, and the fact that no person was killed during the attacks.
Muwonge was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for terrorism and five years for terrorism financing, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
He will therefore serve an effective 10-year prison sentence.
The sentence underscores the serious consequences of attacks targeting critical national infrastructure, particularly electricity installations whose destruction can disrupt essential services and cause widespread economic losses.
