79 Suspects Arrested in Kampala Crime Crackdown

The Police in Kampala have arrested a suspected motorcycle robber, along with 78 other suspects during intelligence-led operations across different parts of the city.

According to SP Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, officers on 5 May 2026 received intelligence about a suspected thief found in possession of a stolen motorcycle and attempting to remove its tracking device in Masajja A Cell, Masajja Parish, Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality.

A team from Kikajo Police Station responded and arrested the suspect, identified as Byakatonda Fred.

Kawala said the suspect, together with an accomplice still at large, is believed to have stolen the motorcycle from the Najjanankumbi area and was allegedly transporting it for sale to an unknown destination.

Upon arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a sharp panga, suspected to have been used in the robbery. The recovered motorcycle, registration number UMA 399GY (Haojue, maroon), has since been secured as evidence.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect and his accomplice are part of a criminal network targeting boda boda riders, often using pangas to threaten and subdue their victims. Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect are ongoing.

In related operations aimed at curbing crime across the Kampala Metropolitan area, Police carried out coordinated crackdowns in multiple divisions.

In Katwe, operations in Clock Tower, Katwe Kinyoro (Nsuwa Zone), and Kibuye Parish in Makindye Division led to the arrest of 32 suspects.

At Jinja Road, operations in Kitintale Zone 10, Mbuya, Nakawa Traffic Lights, and Lugogo Traffic Lights resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects.

In Kira Division, an operation at Tropical Bar in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, led to the arrest of 36 suspects.

Police say the coordinated operations are part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance public safety across the Kampala Metropolitan area.