Three arrested over phone snatching on Kampala streets
According to Owoyesigyire, Sitakange subsequently led Police to the arrest of Jean Marie Namegabe, a Congolese national suspected of receiving and facilitating the transportation of stolen phones to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire. (File)
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Kampala Metropolitan Police East, through Jinja Road Police Station, has arrested three suspects believed to be involved in phone snatching and dealing in stolen mobile phones.
The operation followed the robbery of an iPhone Pro Max valued at approximately sh5.7m from a businesswoman on August 29, 2026, near Capital Shoppers, opposite Makerere University Business School in Nakawa, revealed Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire.
"Through investigations, including reviewing CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) footage and information from human sources, Police identified and arrested Hassan Semujju on September 2, 2026. He confessed to the offence and led Police to a suspected middleman, Fred Sitakange, who was also arrested," Owoyesigyire stated.
Preliminary findings indicate that Semujju is a repeat offender, having previously been arrested over theft of mobile phones, while Sitakange was previously arrested in connection with a bank fraud case.
"Namegabe disclosed that he receives large numbers of stolen iPhones from his contacts for transportation to the DRC. Police also recovered three iPhones from Sitakange, which he could not account for, and he later admitted that they were stolen," Owoyesigyire said.
Crime report
According to the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, 26,366 assault cases were reported, compared to 29,580 cases in 2024.
Of the cases reported in 2025, a total of 13,140 cases were submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and legal guidance. A total of 8,397 cases were taken to court, resulting in 2,942 convictions.
The report indicated that 127 cases ended in acquittals, 1,002 cases were dismissed, while 4,326 cases were still undergoing trial. Another 11,836 cases remained under inquiry, while 6,130 cases were not proceeded with.