Our joint security task teams on the 24/10/2019, conducted 3 separate but well coordinated raids on shops that were dealing in suspected stolen items within Kampala City. In the last couple of months, there has been an upward trend of motorcycle thefts and robberies, theft of phones and electronic devices. We believe so many people’s lives were affected by the violent thefts of motorcycles, phones and other electronic items. It is against this background that we tackled the problem by finding people who buy the stolen items.
Acting on intelligence, the task teams raided units, around Muganzirwaza, where suspected stolen motorcycles, were being sold and stripped for spare parts. We recovered several motorcycles, and also came across dismantled reusable parts. A total of 250 suspects were arrested for further screening.
The other two teams conducted raids on shops dealing in suspected stolen electronic devices and phones, on cooper complex and Mutaasa Kafeero, respectively. An assortment of phones and electronic devices were recovered. The complaints are that dealers in these shops unblock and give devices new IMEI numbers making the stolen phones find their way back on the streets as legitimate phones.
By providing a conduit for the thieves to be able to convert the stolen items of motorcycles, phones and electronic devices; they are encouraging the commission of the offenses. The massive operation will definitely disrupt the supply line for stolen merchandise and are hopeful it will reduce the number of burglaries, street robberies, theft of motorcycles and related murders.
At this stage we have managed to recover 134 suspected stolen motorcycles, an assortment of spare parts and electronic devices including 1600 phones from Cooper complex. All items recovered are clearly marked with the location and where the items were recovered from. We are inviting people to come to KMP headquarters, and crosscheck the electronic devices and phones recovered including laptops, cell phones, as well as tablets, computer monitors, TVs. Those following the suspected stolen motorcycles should proceed to CID headquarters in Kibuli with supporting documents.
We would like to urge anyone who thinks they know persons dealing in stolen items (buying and selling) to provide information to police on whatsapp number 0707114114 or on our Facebook or Twitter.
We are going to continue our efforts to tackle thefts of all kinds and regularly raid shops dealing in suspected stolen merchandise. Meanwhile our community policing teams are also continuously working to ensure that safety messages on target hardening and increased vigilance are in place.
CP Fred Enanga
Press and Public Relations Officer
Uganda Police Force
24.10.2019
