At least 150 suspected stolen phones were recovered during a city crackdown on phone theft rings in downtown Kampala. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said police are still screening the suspects. He noted that several dealers of stolen phones were arrested during operations that swept through KK Trust Plaza, Owino Market, and other parts of Nakasero in Kampala.
According to police, the operation followed a complaint from a woman whose mobile phone was stolen on June 10, 2026. She reported that individuals she recognized by sight robbed her along Queen’s Way in Makindye Division, and the case was filed at Katwe Police Division. Through investigations, police arrested three suspects believed to be involved in a series of bag-snatching and robbery incidents.
During interrogation, the suspects revealed that the stolen phones had been sold to mobile phone dealers operating in various arcades in downtown Kampala. On Friday, a joint police-military team carried out a follow-up operation that led to the recovery of more than 150 suspected stolen mobile phones from various shops.
“We have arrested several suspects. Some were directly buying stolen phones from thugs, while others unknowingly stocked them after sourcing from dealers. All of this will strengthen our ongoing investigations. The recovered phones are being processed to establish ownership, and we are working to identify more victims and others linked to these criminal activities.” Owoyesigyire said.
Police warned second-hand phone dealers to verify the source of every device before purchase, saying handling suspected stolen property is an offence. Owoyesigyire added that police remain committed to fighting street robberies and keeping the public safe. //Cue in: “I cannot…”
Raids on downtown arcades, including Mutaasa Kafeero, City House, Cooper Complex, and several others, have disrupted the illegal phone trade and recovered hundreds of snatched devices previously. Yet the illicit market endures, powered by organized networks that keep it profitable despite arrests and seizures.
The crackdown on phone snatching has also led to the arrest of James Lumu, a suspected notorious street criminal linked to a series of robberies along Namugongo road and the surrounding areas.
He was arrested shortly after a Wednesday robbery in Nabwojjo, Kyaliwajjala B zone, where 23-year-old Daniel Tenywa of Kiwanga, Mukono District, was hit with a blunt object and had his phone stolen. The Police established that the suspect was allegedly involved in the attack. He was also arrested in Kyaliwajjala Kapeera as Kira Division continues hunting for his accomplices, while the victim remains critically ill and admitted to the hospital-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
