Heavy police and military deployment has sealed off several city arcades in downtown Kampala in a search for shops selling stolen phones and laptops.
The joint deployment, comprising military police, UPDF soldiers, the Field Force Unit – FFU, and regular police officers, covered arcades along William Street, including City House, Kalungi Plaza and Mutaasa Kafeero buildings. Security forces sealed off the premises, and no one was allowed to enter or leave as operations continue inside.
Security personnel conducted a shop-by-shop search for suspected stolen electronics, including phones and laptops on Monday evening. The operation brought work to a standstill. Some soldiers were also seen apprehending youths with dreadlocks, raising questions about the true intentions of the operation.
Some security sources said the stolen equipment being sought includes specific appliances from the Bank of Uganda. Others alleged that the operation is targeting phones that were smuggled into the country without paying taxes to the Uganda Revenue Authority – URA.
Arcades along William Street in Kampala are known for housing tenants who deal in suspected stolen phones. Most are sold by criminal gangs that target unsuspecting victims during rush hour, especially motorists in traffic and pedestrians.
Police have arrested several individuals, including youths and women, around the sealed-off arcades and took them to Central Police Station – CPS. Security operatives have confiscated several phones and laptops as the search intensifies in the arcades along William Street.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachael Kawala said over 20 suspects have been arrested as security intelligence-led operations targeting shops dealing in stolen phones, which continue to encourage phone-snatching by gang groups continues.
Innocent Lugyema, a phone dealer at Mutaasa Kafeero, condemned the security operation that has kept traders out of work for the entire day. He said the operation should target specific shops, rather than closing the entire street.
He said closing the entire street affects everyone, including traders not involved in the phone business. He called it unfair to business people who struggle daily to pay high rents in Kampala and provide for their families.
owever, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said security had intensified operations and road deployments ahead of the forthcoming presidential swearing-in ceremony for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s seventh term. He said they intend to flush out criminal gangs that usually target Ugandans attending large functions at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com.
