News
Three arrested as Police recover 143 suspected stolen phones
Luke Owoyesigyire, the KMP deputy spokesperson, on Monday identified the three suspects as Derrick Tumusiime (aka Gana), Fabrice Niyonzima (aka Sadat), and Emmy Kitoko.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, displays some of the 143 suspected stolen smartphones recovered during a police operation. (Courtesy)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Police say they have conducted a successful intelligence-led operation within the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) area, leading to the recovery of 143 suspected stolen smartphones.
The majority are iPhones.
Police also arrested three suspects believed to be part of an organised mobile phone theft and trafficking network.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the KMP deputy spokesperson, on Monday identified the three suspects as Derrick Tumusiime (aka Gana), Fabrice Niyonzima (aka Sadat), and Emmy Kitoko.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a criminal group involved in receiving suspected stolen mobile phones, altering their motherboards and other identifying components to conceal their origin, before trafficking and selling them in neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” he said.
So far, the owners of 20 of the recovered phones have been successfully identified.
“These victims have provided Police with details of the cases they previously reported, including their respective police reference numbers, confirming that the recovered devices had been stolen,” said Owoyesigyire.
Investigations are still ongoing to identify additional victims, recover more exhibits and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a criminal group involved in receiving suspected stolen mobile phones, altering their motherboards and other identifying components to conceal their origin, before trafficking and selling them in neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” he said.
So far, the owners of 20 of the recovered phones have been successfully identified.
“These victims have provided Police with details of the cases they previously reported, including their respective police reference numbers, confirming that the recovered devices had been stolen,” said Owoyesigyire.
Investigations are still ongoing to identify additional victims, recover more exhibits and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
“KMP therefore appeals to members of the public who may have lost an iPhone and reported the theft to Police to contact officers at the Crime Intelligence Directorate with proof of ownership and the relevant police case reference number to facilitate verification and possible recovery of their devices," said the Police spokesperson.
"The three suspects remain in police custody and will be arraigned before court upon completion of investigations to answer charges related to their involvement in this criminal enterprise."
Police urged the public to continue reporting related crimes promptly in a bid to dismantle organised criminal networks.
The stats
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to Police compared to 218,715 in 2024, which represents a 10.2% reduction.
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.
In 2025, a total of 8,064 cases, representing 4.1% of the total reported cases, constituted child-related offences. These declined from 9,408 reported in 2024, giving a 14.3% decrease.
Out of these, 848 cases were taken to court, 176 secured convictions, 68 were dismissed, 06 had acquittals, and 598 are undergoing trial, 3,486 were not proceeded with, while 3,730 are still under inquiry.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by Rwizi with 13,416, KMP North with 13,340, North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388.
At district/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 three suspects remain in police custody and will be arraigned before court upon completion of investigations to answer charges related to their involvement in this criminal enterprise."
Police urged the public to continue reporting related crimes promptly in a bid to dismantle organised criminal networks.
The stats
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to Police compared to 218,715 in 2024, which represents a 10.2% reduction.
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.
In 2025, a total of 8,064 cases, representing 4.1% of the total reported cases, constituted child-related offences. These declined from 9,408 reported in 2024, giving a 14.3% decrease.
Out of these, 848 cases were taken to court, 176 secured convictions, 68 were dismissed, 06 had acquittals, and 598 are undergoing trial, 3,486 were not proceeded with, while 3,730 are still under inquiry.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by Rwizi with 13,416, KMP North with 13,340, North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388.
At district/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.