Police arrest suspected serial robber terrorising Kiwatule residents
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday at around 6:00am.
Joel Nkwasibwe, a suspected serial robber is currently in police custody as investigations continue. (Courtesy photo)
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Police have arrested Joel Nkwasibwe, a suspected serial robber who has been on the police watch list for allegedly terrorising and robbing residents of Kiwatule, in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday at around 6:00am.
“On July 8, 2026, at approximately 6:00 am, Police at Kira Road conducted an intelligence-led operation in Balintuma Zone, Kiwatule, Kampala, targeting criminals who have been attacking and robbing members of the public during the early morning hours, leading to the arrest of Nkwasibwe,” Kawala said.
She explained that preliminary investigations indicate that on July 6, 2026, the suspect allegedly attacked a boda boda rider by striking him with a blunt object, believed to be a paver, before robbing him of his personal belongings.
She said the suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue and will be arraigned before courts of law upon completion of investigations.
“The Uganda Police Force remains committed to identifying and apprehending individuals involved in crime. We encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing timely information with the police to support efforts aimed at combating crime and enhancing public safety,” Kawala advised.
The arrest of Nkwasibwe comes hardly a month after police in Kira Division said they had arrested James Lumu, a suspected notorious criminal linked to a series of robberies in Kyaliwajjala and the surrounding areas.
“Following information received during the investigations, police established that the suspect was allegedly involved in the attack. On June 18, 2026, police conducted an operation in Kyaliwajjala Kapeera and successfully arrested the suspect,” Owoyesigyire said.
Crime statistics
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 in April this year, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to Police compared to 218,715 cases reported in 2024. Out of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions from which 79,291 were taken to Court.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, Kampala Metropolitan Police South registered the highest number of cases (13,950), followed by Rwizi with 13,416 cases. Kampala Metropolitan Police North followed with 13,340 cases, North Kyoga had 12,728 cases, while Kampala Metropolitan Police East registered 10,388 cases.
At district/divisional level, Wakiso Police Division registered the highest number of cases (3,177), followed by Luweero Police Station with 3,123 cases. Mukono Police Division followed with 2,880 cases, Tororo Police Station registered 2,831 cases, while Ntungamo Police Station had 2,825 cases.