Auditors nab electricity thieves in Kosovo-Rubaga Division
Auditors from Power Safety department of UMEME have this morning nabbed several people stealing electricity in Kosovo-Rubaga Division, Kampala.
In an operation code-named Kombowa Operation, the auditors aimed at ascertaining whether residents are connected to the UMEME meters. Surprisingly, most residents were found connected to fake meters.
According to the Field Officer who headed the operation, Jackson James Nakabaale, UMEME meters have serial numbers which correspond to the original documents of the account holders.
However, to most residents UMEME meters were replaced by fake meters, which are similar to UMEME meters, but carry fake serial numbers.
Nakabaale explained that the perpetrators of electricity theft transfer the little money paid on the UMEME meter to the fake meter, which they later twist and manipulate to alter figures.
Nakabaale also explained that it is difficult to detect electricity theft using observation method. This is because the perpetrators are experts, who are probably the insiders in UMEME. They do it with much expertise. If you come around you find the UMEME meter reader on and active, but try to ask for the previous receipts; they will look agape!
At Kosovo, one resident was so chaotic; threatening violence until the Field Officer showed him two meters carrying various serial numbers in a different branding depicting duplication. The paper that is put on the meter is duplicated at Nasser Road; the ISBN is what defeats the electricity thieves.
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique. This is what helps auditors to get the electricity thieves.
The electricity theft is dangerous, can lead to death. In this Kombowa Operation, one resident was found she bypassed the UMEME meter, using a small pipe, which she dag underground to connect her house.
According to our Drones, the electricity theft is a network of scammers, which connects from the top officials in UMEME to the Field Officers.