Police in Busoga East have arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of masterminding motorcycle thefts along major highways across the Busoga sub-region and neighbouring areas. The suspect, identified as Yakubu Tabo, a resident of Arubaine B Cell in Eastern Division, Bugiri Municipality, was arrested on the night of October 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to sell a motorcycle for 500,000 Shillings.
Tabo is currently detained at Bugiri Central Police Station on three counts relating to the alleged possession of suspected stolen property, conspiracy to commit theft and motorcycle theft.
According to police, Tabo was arrested while selling a well-maintained motorcycle bearing registration number UGJ 976D to a prospective buyer, who became suspicious after noticing that the asking price was unusually low.
The buyer reportedly alerted police after realising that the motorcycle was being sold at a fraction of its market value. Well-maintained motorcycles of a similar category reportedly cost between 3 million and 3.5 million Shillings in the area.
Police officers responded to the tip-off, cordoned off the scene and asked Tabo to produce proof of ownership. However, he reportedly failed to provide the required documentation. During subsequent questioning, Tabo allegedly confessed to his involvement in motorcycle theft and disclosed details of a network of about 12 youths he is suspected of commanding.
According to the account attributed to Tabo, the group operates through smaller teams that identify and monitor potential targets at different locations before contacting him to coordinate the thefts.
He reportedly said members of the gang disguise themselves as genuine customers seeking to hire motorcycles before disappearing with them. The stolen motorcycles are allegedly sold at low prices to garage operators in Iganga, Butaleja, Busia and Bugiri districts.
Tabo reportedly told investigators that proceeds from the sales are shared among members of the network, which he described as their primary source of livelihood. He further alleged that some garage operators dismantle the motorcycles and sell them as spare parts, a practice suspected of helping conceal their origins and destroy evidence linking them to theft.
Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said Tabo had been on the police wanted list for about a year over alleged involvement in motorcycle theft.
Kasadha described the arrest as a significant breakthrough that could help investigators identify and apprehend other suspected members of the network. He said combating crime remained a core responsibility of the police and commended members of the public for providing information about suspicious activities in their communities.
Kasadha also urged boda boda riders to exercise caution when approached by people offering unusually high or suspicious payments to hire their motorcycles, particularly late at night. He warned that some individuals posing as genuine customers could be criminals seeking opportunities to steal motorcycles and urged riders to verify the identities of prospective clients before handing over their property-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
