By Alexander Mackey Okori
Police in Napak district have arrested an electrician to assist with the investigations into the death of a 25-year-old man, who was electrocuted in Matany town council while pruning tree branches near the power line.
The deceased only identified as Teko, a resident of Iriiri Sub-county was electrocuted on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at around 1:00 PM in Looi cell, Napeipelu ward, Matanya Town Council.
Charles Otim, one of the eyewitnesses, told this publication on phone that the deceased was reportedly hired by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to prune a Neem tree whose branches had covered the power line in the area.
He said that the deceased got electrocuted after he mistakenly hit a bare electric wire with a pang, while pruning a tree, sparking electrocution.
According to Otim, Teko tried to jump from the tree after he got shocked, unfortunately he got trapped in the branches and remained dangling from the tree.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson confirmed the incident saying that one suspect whose particulars have been withheld has been arrested to assist with the investigations.
He said that the police preliminary investigations reveal that the deceased was hired by an UEDCL electrical engineer, identified as Richard Ssonko aged 28, a resident of Moroto Municipality to assist in clearing vegetation along power lines in Matany Town Council.
“Preliminary information indicates that a 25-year-old male identified as Teko, a resident of Iriri Sub-County and a casual worker, was electrocuted while pruning tree branches near live electricity lines. It is alleged that the deceased had been recruited by a 28-year-old Electrical Engineer with UEDCL, identified as Ssonko Richard of Moroto Municipality, to assist in clearing vegetation along power lines within Matany Town Council”, the statement reads in part.
The investigations further indicate that the power supply was not switched during the exercise and the deceased had no formal training in electrical safety.
“The suspect remains in custody as inquiries continue. And his file will be submitted to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice once investigations are concluded” said Longole.
Longole urged all companies and contractors engaged in hazardous work, especially near electricity installations, to strictly observe safety regulations, including proper training of workers and isolation of power where necessary, to prevent loss of life.
However, Walter Francis Ngabu, the manager of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Moroto branch dismissed reports that the deceased was hired by an electrical engineer attached to UEDL.
He explained that the technician was working under a firm contracted by UEDCL to carry out the vegetation along the power lines within Matany town council.
