News
Kampala police recover 80 suspected stolen motorcycles, arrest nine in major raid
According to police, the breakthrough followed intensive investigations into a series of violent robberies.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire. (File photo)
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Kampala have recovered 80 suspected stolen motorcycles and arrested nine suspects during an intelligence-led operation targeting an alleged network involved in motorcycle robberies across the city.
The operation, conducted early on Tuesday morning by Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) North, took place in Munaku zone, Lubya parish, Rubaga division.
According to police, the breakthrough followed intensive investigations into a series of violent robberies.
Detectives initially traced two motorcycles suspected to have been used as getaway vehicles in a recent robbery in the upscale Muyenga neighbourhood. Investigations subsequently led officers to a large parking compound in Munaku zone.
Upon arrival, a search of the premises revealed what investigators believe was a broader and highly organised criminal operation.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire said the facility was not merely a storage site for stolen motorcycles but functioned as a "hire pool", supplying motorcycles to criminal gangs for use in robberies and other illegal activities across Kampala.
Scene of crime officers cordoned off the area and conducted a thorough search, leading to the recovery of about 80 motorcycles.
"Individuals present at the site were unable to provide satisfactory proof of ownership for the vehicles, " he said in a statement.
All motorcycles were impounded and transported to Old Kampala Police Station for forensic verification and secure storage.
Upon arrival, a search of the premises revealed what investigators believe was a broader and highly organised criminal operation.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire said the facility was not merely a storage site for stolen motorcycles but functioned as a "hire pool", supplying motorcycles to criminal gangs for use in robberies and other illegal activities across Kampala.
Scene of crime officers cordoned off the area and conducted a thorough search, leading to the recovery of about 80 motorcycles.
"Individuals present at the site were unable to provide satisfactory proof of ownership for the vehicles, " he said in a statement.
All motorcycles were impounded and transported to Old Kampala Police Station for forensic verification and secure storage.
Nine suspects found at the scene were arrested and are currently being held at the station. Police said they are being questioned about the origin of the motorcycles and their possible links to a wider criminal network.
Owoyesigyire urged members of the public who have recently lost motorcycles to come forward.
“We are calling on anyone who may have lost a motorcycle to report to Old Kampala Police Station,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
He emphasised that claimants must present valid ownership and registration documents, including logbooks, for verification before any property is returned.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that further arrests remain possible as detectives trace ownership records and establish the full extent of the suspected syndicate.
A national crisis
According to police data contained in the 2025 Annual Crime Report, an average of 6,311 motorcycle theft cases are reported nationwide each year. Because many incidents involve multiple motorcycles being stolen simultaneously, this translates to roughly 11,214 stolen motorcycles annually.
However, police say the recovery rate remains a major challenge for law enforcement.
Data shows that only about 21 percent, equivalent to 2,355 motorcycles, were successfully recovered by police. Another 13.6 per cent, representing 1,527 motorcycles, were later found abandoned after being discarded in bushes, swamps or along roadsides.
The remaining 65.4 per cent, equivalent to 7,332 motorcycles, were never recovered.
Investigators note that these motorcycles are often quickly dismantled for spare parts or smuggled across international borders with altered chassis numbers.
Urban areas account for the vast majority of reported cases. Kampala Metropolitan Police North records the highest number of thefts, with approximately 949 cases annually, followed by KMP South with 681, KMP East with 470, the Albertine region with 407 and North Kyoga with 341.
At the divisional level, theft hotspots include Nansana with more than 220 cases, Katwe with 208, Kawempe with 196 and Old Kampala with 162, the same division where the 80 recently recovered motorcycles are currently being held.
Owoyesigyire urged members of the public who have recently lost motorcycles to come forward.
“We are calling on anyone who may have lost a motorcycle to report to Old Kampala Police Station,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
He emphasised that claimants must present valid ownership and registration documents, including logbooks, for verification before any property is returned.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that further arrests remain possible as detectives trace ownership records and establish the full extent of the suspected syndicate.
A national crisis
According to police data contained in the 2025 Annual Crime Report, an average of 6,311 motorcycle theft cases are reported nationwide each year. Because many incidents involve multiple motorcycles being stolen simultaneously, this translates to roughly 11,214 stolen motorcycles annually.
However, police say the recovery rate remains a major challenge for law enforcement.
Data shows that only about 21 percent, equivalent to 2,355 motorcycles, were successfully recovered by police. Another 13.6 per cent, representing 1,527 motorcycles, were later found abandoned after being discarded in bushes, swamps or along roadsides.
The remaining 65.4 per cent, equivalent to 7,332 motorcycles, were never recovered.
Investigators note that these motorcycles are often quickly dismantled for spare parts or smuggled across international borders with altered chassis numbers.
Urban areas account for the vast majority of reported cases. Kampala Metropolitan Police North records the highest number of thefts, with approximately 949 cases annually, followed by KMP South with 681, KMP East with 470, the Albertine region with 407 and North Kyoga with 341.
At the divisional level, theft hotspots include Nansana with more than 220 cases, Katwe with 208, Kawempe with 196 and Old Kampala with 162, the same division where the 80 recently recovered motorcycles are currently being held.