Police list achievements as over 140 arrested in cracks down on Mukono, Wakiso gangs

KAMPALA - The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) on February 18, 2026, said it has arrested over 140 suspected criminals as it cracks down on gangs terrorising residents in the districts of Mukono and Wakiso. 

KMP deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the 147 were arrested in the wake of increased cases of robbery and drug-related crimes. 

"Police in KMP East and KMP South have arrested a total of 147 suspects during co-ordinated disruptive operations conducted on  February 17, 2026, in Wakiso and Mukono districts following increased cases of robbery, mugging, burglary and drug-related crimes," Owoyesigyire said. 

He explained that, "At Kirinya Police in Bweyogerere Division (Wakiso) under Kira Division Police, three suspects: Waiswa Sabastiano, Moses Innocen Omara, and Abila Jimmy were arrested for waylaying and assaulting members of the public while armed with a panga, sticks, a brick and a paver".

"In Kyampisi sub-county (Mukono), Nagalama Police Division arrested 13 suspects in Kabembe suburb for possession of suspected narcotic substances.

Kabalagala Police Division under KMP South arrested 125 suspects from Kansanga, Nsambya, Kabalagala and Kibuli over suspected involvement in criminal activities and possession of suspected narcotic substances," he added 

In Wantoni, Mukono central division, Owoyesigyire said Police together with the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) arrested six suspects and recovered two numberless motorcycles suspected to have been used in committing crimes.

"All suspects are in custody pending prosecution. Police assures the public that such disruptive operations will continue in identified crime hotspots to ensure the safety and security of the community, " Owoyesigyire stated. 

The group joins over 200 other suspects arrested in different parts of KMP area who were arraigned in court on Tuesday after being arrested over the weekend and Monday. 

Owoyesigyire said the 147 were arrested in the wake of increased cases of robbery and drug-related crimes. (Police Photo)

Police reshuffle

The operations come shortly after Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba on Tuesday, made changes to the policing structure, dropping the incumbent Commander KMP Richard Ecega. 

Byakagaba recalled and named Commissioner of Police Ezekiel Emitu, who has been the commandant of the Police Training School in Kabalye, Masindi district, back to KMP as the new commander. 

Senior Police sources who spoke to New Vision Online confirmed that the development comes in the wake of a hastily convened joint security meeting on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing public outcry in the wake of increased cases of attacks in different parts of KMP and the country. 

Emitu is not a stranger to policing in KMP, having served before as the Deputy KMP commander to the current Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa, who is also the director operations at KMP. 

No cause for alarm

Emitu's transfer comes in the wake of the Director Crime Intelligence of the Uganda Police Force, Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, assuring the country that they were in charge of the situation and there is no need to worry. 

Responding to the newspaper headlines on Tuesday that he indicated the criminal gangs had taken over the country, Ddamulira said they had taken note of what the media had highlighted. 

"We are also alive to the plight of those who have fallen victims to crime and everything within means is being done to ensure that there is a peaceful environment for everyone," Ddamulira said.

He said it is not true that crime has taken over. 

"Certainly it hasn’t! Yes, I  have seen a couple of complaints on social media. I have also noticed some incidents of mugging, especially at traffic junctions and long traffic jams. People have lost valuables in these incidents, and they are right to complain and demand better service. I have also noted some cases of murder and break-ins. Some of those cases have been resolved. However, away from social media and headlines, we are making good progress in dealing with crime," Ddamulira said. 

He outlined some of the recent achievements: "From January 20-24, 2026, we recovered four SMGs in KMP and arrested nine suspects. I got a forensic report on Monday, which shows that these guns were used in 30 incidents of aggravated robberies in KMP from Jun 2025 to Jan 2026. It doesn’t surprise me that since these recoveries were made, KMP has not registered a single gun-related incident," Ddamulira said. 

He also said the suspect arrested have since admitted to 12 murders, including that of the OC Ntawo and are being processed to court.

"To us, this is a very big achievement. Second, the murder of lady Pamela Tumwebaze of Uganda Christian University (UCU) is almost resolved. I personally addressed the congregation in Naalya during the vigil and assured them that the suspect will be arrested. A day later, we got him with exhibits, and the family reached out to appreciate our timely response," Ddamulira said. 

He also said, "The double murder in a hotel in Lungujja is also as good as resolved. We arrested the key suspect and recovered the exhibit of the car he stole from the hotel after killing the lady and security guard."

On the case of TikTok influencer Diana Namulinde, who was murdered recently after being raped, Ddamulira said it was as good as resolved. 

"The suspect was arrested and charged in court, and exhibits recovered," he said. 

Ddamulira said the territorial commands are also not sleeping on the job. 

"Intelligence-led operations are being conducted. On Monday,  Kira Division arrested 130 suspects, Nsangi Division arrested 32 suspects, Kira Road arrested 16 suspects, among others.  The Crime Intelligence, Criminal Investigation Directorate and forensic officers are doing everything possible to screen these suspects and charge them to court," he said. 

Ddamulira revealed that, "additionally, measures are being taken to deal with mugging at traffic lights and junctions, in long traffic jams, among others, and they are  being replicated countrywide to ensure safety of Ugandans and their property."

He said the implementation of the sub-county policing model is also on course.

"This will be the antidote for criminals targeting our peasants’ coffee, foodstuffs, produce, among others,  which frustrates Parish Development Model. We continue to address the challenges to ensure that this concept works for everyone. We will continue to have constructive engagement with the media to share information and promote the well-being of our people through awareness," he stated. 

Ddamulira observed that poverty and unemployment are some of the biggest drivers of crime. 

"Unfortunately, these are things beyond our scope and are being addressed within the whole government approach," he stated.