Five arrested over motorcycle thefts, 12 bikes recovered
Police have recovered 12 suspected stolen motorcycles and arrested five suspects in an intelligence-led operation targeting a motorcycle theft network in Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala. (File)
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Police in Kampala Metropolitan area have made a breakthrough in investigations into motorcycle robberies following an intelligence-led operation conducted in Ndeeba, Kampala, that resulted into the recovery of 12 suspected stolen motorcycles and arrest of five suspects.
The operation, which was conducted on August 25 at about 5:00pm, followed public outcry over the increasing theft of motorcycles, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala.
"The operation was triggered by the theft of motorcycle registration number UMA 330NR, which was reported at Nabweru Police Station. Following investigations and intelligence gathering, our task team traced the motorcycle to the Busabala area in Katwe Division in Kampala," revealed Kawala.
Through a quick intelligence-led response, she said two male suspects were arrested in connection with the theft. The two suspects were identified as: Ivan Mugisha , 28, and David Kabanda, 25.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly target relatively new motorcycles. "After stealing the motorcycles, they reportedly transport them to Ndeeba, where tracking devices are removed."
According to Kawala, the motorcycles are subsequently sold fat approximately sh1.7m each.
The suspects subsequently led police officers to different locations in Ndeeba, where they allegedly identified persons involved in the disposal of stolen motorcycles over the past three months.
As a result, 12 suspected stolen motorcycles were impounded from Ndeeba pending further investigations, while three additional suspects were arrested. This brings the total number of suspects in custody to five.
Preliminary findings further indicate that some of the stolen motorcycles are dismantled and sold as spare parts, while others are allegedly modified, made to appear old, and subsequently resold.
She said investigations are still ongoing and efforts are underway to identify and arrest additional suspects involved in the theft, concealment, dismantling, and disposal of stolen motorcycles.
Crime statistics
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to Police compared to 218,715 in 2024, which represents a 10.2% reduction. Out of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions from which 79,291 were taken to Court.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by Rwizi with 13,416, KMP North with 13,340, North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388. At district/divisional level, Wakiso Police Division registered the highest number of cases with 3,177, followed by Luweero Police Station with 3,123, Mukono Police Division with 2,880, Tororo Police Station with 2,831 and Ntungamo Police Station with 2,825.