Nine people accused of possessing suspected stolen mobile phones have been remanded to Luzira Prison until August 6, 2026, as police continue investigations into the matter. The suspects appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where they were charged with eight counts of possessing suspected stolen property contrary to Section 295(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
The accused are Ivan Yiga, 31, a second-hand mobile phone dealer from Mpererwe; Ibrahim Kasiita, 47, a phone dealer from Lukuli, Makindye Division; Denis Isingoma, 38, a businessman from Mpererwe; Jimmy Ssemugenyi alias Jamiro, 38, a mechanic from Nansana in Wakiso District; Peter Wasswa, 25, a businessman operating from Cooper Complex; Emmanuel Odeke, 39, an interior designer from Bweyogerere; Barak Mumbere, 25, a live band musician from Masajja; Isma Kayondo, 38, a resident of Mutundwe; and Godfrey Ssekawooya, 40, a businessman from Kasubi.
Prosecution alleges that the suspects were arrested on July 14, 2026, during a police operation at Cooper Complex Building in Kampala’s Central Business District. According to the charge sheet, police officers conducted searches in several shops after obtaining authority under Section 7 of the Criminal Procedure Code and recovered dozens of mobile phones and accessories suspected to have been stolen.
The prosecution alleges that Yiga was found in possession of 15 mobile phones, including Samsung, iPhone, Tecno, Infinix and Horse-branded handsets, at Shop No. 7F. Wasswa is accused of possessing 21 suspected stolen phones recovered from Shop No. 19J, while Ssekawooya allegedly had 18 mobile phones and assorted accessories at Shop No. 09J.
The other suspects are accused of possessing various numbers of mobile phones allegedly recovered during the same operation. Ssemugenyi was allegedly found with 10 phones, Isingoma with 22, Odeke with three, Mumbere with eight and Kayondo with five.
The prosecution further alleges that the accused acted together with other suspects who are still at large. The suspects denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko and were remanded to Luzira Prison until August 6, 2026, when they are expected back in court.
The case originated from Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala under Police CRB 799/2026. Police said the suspects were arrested during an operation targeting individuals dealing in suspected stolen phones in Kampala’s downtown area before being detained at CPS Kampala and later produced in court-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
