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Police trace iPhone stolen at King Saha concert, arrest three
“Following intelligence-led inquiries, police arrested Abud Lubwama alias Mafia, who disclosed that he had stolen the iPhone 11 and sold it to Joseph Ssentongo. Police proceeded to Nateete Central A Zone, where Ssentongo was arrested and the stolen phone recovered. A pink phone cover, which was reportedly on the phone at the time it was stolen, was also recovered from his bag,” Owoyesigyire said.
Owoyesigyire said the arrests followed a video circulating on social media showing a woman crying after losing her mobile phone during King Saha's concert in Kololo on August 15, 2026. (New Vision/Files)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the theft and possession of a suspected stolen iPhone 11 during King Saha's concert in Kololo.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) deputy spokesperson, said on Monday, September 7, 2026, that the arrests were made by KMP South through Nateete Police Division.
He said the arrests followed a video circulating on social media showing a woman crying after losing her mobile phone during King Saha's concert in Kololo on August 15, 2026.
“Following intelligence-led inquiries, police arrested Abud Lubwama alias Mafia, who disclosed that he had stolen the iPhone 11 and sold it to Joseph Ssentongo. Police proceeded to Nateete Central A Zone, where Ssentongo was arrested and the stolen phone recovered. A pink phone cover, which was reportedly on the phone at the time it was stolen, was also recovered from his bag,” Owoyesigyire said.
He revealed that further investigations established that Ssentongo had taken the phone to Kasim Sserunjogi, who assisted in unlocking it at Kalungi Mall so that it could be used.
“Three suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. Police are also pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in the theft and the unlocking of the stolen phone,” he said.
He explained that police are working to identify and trace the rightful owner of the recovered phone and establish where the original case was reported for further management.
He revealed that further investigations established that Ssentongo had taken the phone to Kasim Sserunjogi, who assisted in unlocking it at Kalungi Mall so that it could be used.
“Three suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. Police are also pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in the theft and the unlocking of the stolen phone,” he said.
He explained that police are working to identify and trace the rightful owner of the recovered phone and establish where the original case was reported for further management.
“Three suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. Police are also pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in the theft and the unlocking of the stolen phone,” Owoyesigyire said.
Not first case
In July this year, police recovered 723 suspected stolen mobile phones and more than 460 used SIM cards during an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected handlers of stolen phones in Kampala.
The operation took place on July 14, 2026, at Cooper Complex in Kampala, where officers searched 12 shops following a rise in phone theft and snatching across the Kampala Metropolitan area.
Owoyesigyire said officers also recovered machines suspected to have been used to alter mobile phone serial numbers.
"Following an increase in cases of phone theft and snatching within the Kampala Metropolitan area, the Uganda Police Force on July 14, 2026, conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected handlers of stolen mobile phones," Owoyesigyire said.