News
Suspect behind string of motorcycle robberies arrested in Mukono
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Racheal Kawala identified the suspect as Julius Kyeyune and said the hunt for other suspects believed to be working with him was ongoing.
Following Julius Kyeyune's arrest, Police conducted a search at the his residence, which led to the recovery of different items. (Courtesy photos)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Police on Sunday (June 21) said they had arrested a key suspect behind a string of motorcycle robberies in the greater Mukono district.
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Racheal Kawala identified the suspect as Julius Kyeyune and said the hunt for other suspects believed to be working with him was ongoing.
“On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm, Police at Nagalama conducted an operation in Kakira village, Kasawo subcounty, Mukono district, leading to the arrest of Kyeyune, also known as Kavuma, a suspect believed to be connected to a series of motorcycle robberies,” Kawala said.
She revealed that preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect would reportedly travel to locations outside Kasawo and pose as a passenger seeking transportation to Kasawo.
“Upon arrival, he would allegedly direct boda boda riders to isolated areas within Kakira village, particularly near the extensive sugarcane plantations, where he would rob them of their motorcycles,” Kawala added.
Kawala said: “Following his arrest, Police conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, which led to the recovery of the following items: housebreaking implements, including metal bars, cutters, pangas, motorcycle spare parts and other related items; a motorcycle number plate, UGB 722Q, suspected to belong to an unidentified motorcycle; helmets and metal materials believed to be used in the fabrication of forged number plates.”
Police also recovered two AK-47 rifle cartridges, several smartphones, old motorcycle inner tubes, jackets and other assorted items, including two driving permits.
“All recovered exhibits have been secured to support ongoing investigations. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other suspects believed to be connected to the criminal activities. Investigations are still underway,” she stated.
Kyeyune’s arrest comes barely two days after KMP police announced that officers in the KMP South region had recovered 44 motorcycles and arrested 13 suspects during an intelligence-led operation targeting motorcycle robbery networks operating within the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
“Upon arrival, he would allegedly direct boda boda riders to isolated areas within Kakira village, particularly near the extensive sugarcane plantations, where he would rob them of their motorcycles,” Kawala added.
Kawala said: “Following his arrest, Police conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, which led to the recovery of the following items: housebreaking implements, including metal bars, cutters, pangas, motorcycle spare parts and other related items; a motorcycle number plate, UGB 722Q, suspected to belong to an unidentified motorcycle; helmets and metal materials believed to be used in the fabrication of forged number plates.”
Police also recovered two AK-47 rifle cartridges, several smartphones, old motorcycle inner tubes, jackets and other assorted items, including two driving permits.
“All recovered exhibits have been secured to support ongoing investigations. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other suspects believed to be connected to the criminal activities. Investigations are still underway,” she stated.
Kyeyune’s arrest comes barely two days after KMP police announced that officers in the KMP South region had recovered 44 motorcycles and arrested 13 suspects during an intelligence-led operation targeting motorcycle robbery networks operating within the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Julius Kyeyune is a key suspect behind a string of motorcycle robberies in the greater Mukono district.
Kawala said the operation was conducted on June 17, 2026, at approximately 5:00 pm at Nakati Garage and Washing Bay, located in Nakati zone, Nabbingo ward, Kyengera town council, Wakiso district.
The operation followed a tip-off alleging that the garage was involved in dismantling suspected stolen motorcycles, reassembling them, altering their branding and fitting them with forged number plates before returning them to circulation.
Police officers responded swiftly and conducted a search at the premises.
“During the operation, the following items were recovered: 44 motorcycles, eight motorcycles without engines, fuel tanks or seats, seven motorcycle skeletal frames, five metallic motorcycle parts, six motorcycle engines, 10 exhaust pipes, four number plates and other assorted motorcycle components,” Kawala said.
Among the recovered motorcycles were those bearing the following registration numbers: UDM 696K, UMA 475JN, UDZ 213V, UMA 187JW, UFZ 077U, UFQ 548Q, UGH 315T, UFH 337U, UER 698X, UMA 516KK, UFJ 792L, UGD 654S, UGH 318Q, UGC 539Z, UMA 246C, UFE 772R, UEP 161D, UDP 278V, UDX 573B, UEQ 707Q, UDP 359S, UDK 481Q, UDH 526X, UDS 026S, UES 711U, UEB 633D, UDN 954M, UGG 848P, UEJ 400T and UMA 511HA.
Police said the 13 suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. Efforts are also underway to identify and trace the rightful owners of the recovered motorcycles, while operations to apprehend the owner of the garage are ongoing.
Crime statistics
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to police, compared to 218,715 in 2024, representing a 10.2% reduction.
Of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, of which 79,291 were taken to court.
In 2025, a total of 8,064 cases, representing 4.1% of all reported cases, involved child-related offences. This was a decline from the 9,408 cases reported in 2024, representing a 14.3% decrease.
Of these cases, 848 were taken to court, 176 secured convictions, 68 were dismissed, six resulted in acquittals, and 598 are still undergoing trial. A total of 3,486 cases were not proceeded with, while 3,730 remain under inquiry.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388.
At the district and divisional level, Wakiso Police Division registered the highest number of cases with 3,177, followed by Luwero Police Station with 3,123, Mukono Police Division with 2,880, Tororo Police Station with 2,831 and Ntungamo Police Station with 2,825.
The operation followed a tip-off alleging that the garage was involved in dismantling suspected stolen motorcycles, reassembling them, altering their branding and fitting them with forged number plates before returning them to circulation.
Police officers responded swiftly and conducted a search at the premises.
“During the operation, the following items were recovered: 44 motorcycles, eight motorcycles without engines, fuel tanks or seats, seven motorcycle skeletal frames, five metallic motorcycle parts, six motorcycle engines, 10 exhaust pipes, four number plates and other assorted motorcycle components,” Kawala said.
Among the recovered motorcycles were those bearing the following registration numbers: UDM 696K, UMA 475JN, UDZ 213V, UMA 187JW, UFZ 077U, UFQ 548Q, UGH 315T, UFH 337U, UER 698X, UMA 516KK, UFJ 792L, UGD 654S, UGH 318Q, UGC 539Z, UMA 246C, UFE 772R, UEP 161D, UDP 278V, UDX 573B, UEQ 707Q, UDP 359S, UDK 481Q, UDH 526X, UDS 026S, UES 711U, UEB 633D, UDN 954M, UGG 848P, UEJ 400T and UMA 511HA.
Police said the 13 suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. Efforts are also underway to identify and trace the rightful owners of the recovered motorcycles, while operations to apprehend the owner of the garage are ongoing.
Crime statistics
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to police, compared to 218,715 in 2024, representing a 10.2% reduction.
Of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, of which 79,291 were taken to court.
In 2025, a total of 8,064 cases, representing 4.1% of all reported cases, involved child-related offences. This was a decline from the 9,408 cases reported in 2024, representing a 14.3% decrease.
Of these cases, 848 were taken to court, 176 secured convictions, 68 were dismissed, six resulted in acquittals, and 598 are still undergoing trial. A total of 3,486 cases were not proceeded with, while 3,730 remain under inquiry.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388.
At the district and divisional level, Wakiso Police Division registered the highest number of cases with 3,177, followed by Luwero Police Station with 3,123, Mukono Police Division with 2,880, Tororo Police Station with 2,831 and Ntungamo Police Station with 2,825.