KAMPALA, Uganda — Police in Kampala Metropolitan East and Mukono have arrested 40 suspects and recovered 16 motorcycles during a series of intelligence-led operations targeting criminal hideouts and crime-prone areas in Wakiso and Mukono districts.
The operations, conducted in Kireka, Bweyogerere and Bukerere, were aimed at disrupting criminal networks involved in motorcycle theft, narcotics abuse and street robberies.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, one of the major operations was carried out in Kireka Zone C, Namugongo Division in Kiira Municipality, where police raided a suspected illegal motorcycle reassembly garage.
Investigators believe the facility was being used by criminals to store, dismantle and reassemble motorcycles suspected to have been stolen from different parts of the country.
During the raid, police arrested 12 male suspects and recovered 16 motorcycles whose ownership and legal status are still being verified.
“The motorcycles have been recovered and taken to Jinja Road Police Station as investigations continue,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police suspect the recovered motorcycles may have been altered to conceal their identities before being sold to unsuspecting buyers.
In a separate operation, police officers raided several black spots in Wellspring, Kakajjo and Kazinga Hassan Trabi zones in Kira Division, as well as Bukerere Village and neighbouring areas in Goma Division, Mukono District.
The targeted areas have previously been linked to criminal activities, including drug abuse, theft and violent street robberies.
A total of 28 additional suspects, including three women, were arrested during the operations.
Police also recovered exhibits of suspected narcotic substances, which have been retained as evidence pending forensic examination.
All 40 suspects are currently being held in police custody and are expected to be processed in accordance with the law as investigations progress.
Owoyesigyire said the operations form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal gangs, recover stolen property and improve public safety across the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
“Police remains committed to maintaining pressure on criminal elements through continuous operations aimed at reducing crime, recovering stolen property and improving public safety,” he said.
Authorities have urged members of the public to continue sharing information about suspected criminal activities, noting that community cooperation remains critical in preventing and combating crime.
Investigations into the recovered motorcycles and the activities of the suspects are ongoing.