101 suspects arrested as police target criminal gangs in Kampala metropolitan

KAMPALA - Police on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, said the territorial Police in Kampala Metropolitan (KMP) South and KMP East conducted a series of intelligence-led disruptive operations between October 28 and 29, 2025, targeting criminal elements and areas notorious for drug abuse, robbery, and theft.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the KMP deputy spokesperson, said 101 suspects were arrested and several items, including a toy gun used in a robbery, were recovered.

“In Kampala Central Division, 40 suspects were rounded up in black spots linked to theft of motor vehicle parts and other street crimes. In Kira Municipality (Kitukutwe, Kiwologoma, Kungu, Buwate, and Najjera), seven suspects were arrested with suspected narcotics and a toy gun suspected to be used in robberies. In Kajjansi Division, 45 suspects were apprehended from Ngobe, Sseguku, and Kajjansi for suspected involvement in early-morning robberies,” Owoyesigyire said.

In Mukono, security agencies, in a joint operation in Kyugu and Kisenyi–Degeya, arrested nine suspects found with suspected narcotic substances.

“All suspects are detained at respective stations pending screening and prosecution. Police will continue with intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety across the metropolitan area,” Owoyesigyire said.

The operation follows a similar one on Monday, during which 48 suspects were arrested and seven motorcycles impounded in an operation targeting criminal gangs.

Patrick Onyango, the KMP spokesperson, said the operations aimed at curbing crime, including shop break-ins, burglaries, robberies, and phone snatching.

“In Naggalama Town, 4 suspects were arrested for selling opium and marijuana, and have been charged with possession and frequenting places of smoking opium. Exhibits recovered include opium, knives, and marijuana,” Onyango said.

In Katwe Police Division, Onyango said seven motorcycles were impounded and 25 suspects arrested in operations targeting crime.

“In Nalya, Kasita Matiya was arrested for robberies and snatchings. He was found with panga, knives, and opium and was identified by some of his victims. He is currently detained at Kira Police Division,” Onyango added.

In Kira Municipality, Onyango said 18 suspects were arrested in Nsasa, Bulindo, Katuli, Kigambo, and Namugongo for possession of narcotic substances. Exhibits of opium and marijuana were recovered.

The operation comes amid a surge in recent criminal activities involving armed machete thugs terrorising several parts of Kampala.

According to the Uganda Police Force’s 2024 Annual Crime Report, KMP accounted for nearly 40% of all reported crimes despite being home to only about 3.5% of Uganda’s population.

The report notes a recent overall decrease in crime nationwide, but violent crimes such as robbery and homicide remain high in the capital.

Specific crime trends include a 5% increase in robberies, a 1.9% increase in homicides, and a 46.5% surge in land-related crimes in 2024.