BY OUR WRITER
KAMPALA
THE tragedy should be another warning to parents and the general public not to directly engage with electric pole stay wires which are scatered every where.
Kampala police Police is investigating circumstances under which a five-year-old girl died after being electrocuted by a live stay wire in Kakunguru Zone, Kibuli, Makindye Division.
Ayomirwoth Rehema died instantly as she was playing on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m. and came into contact with a stay wire which was live.
“It is alleged that the deceased, while playing with other children near a drainage channel, came into contact with a live stay wire supporting an electric pole, resulting in fatal electrocution,” Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire said in a statement.
A stay wire is a metal support cable used to stabilise electric poles and prevent them from leaning or collapsing. Although they are not supposed to carry electricity and are usually insulated to make them safe for the public some times they can erroneusly be live.
This may occur if overhead power lines come into contact with the stay wire due to damaged insulation, poor installation, vandalism, ageing infrastructure, or exposure to water, especially during the rainy season.
No arrests have been so far made from the concerned workers of the power distribution.