KAMPALA — Police have recovered 120 suspected stolen iPhones and arrested four suspects following an intelligence-led operation that investigators say dismantled part of a network dealing in stolen Apple devices in Kampala.
The operation was triggered by the theft of a police officer’s iPhone on July 16 while he was deployed at Top City Plaza in Kisenyi Cell, Kampala. Investigators tracked the device, leading to the arrest of the prime suspect, Richard Mugabi, on July 18 at his residence in Kakajo, Kisenyi Cell.
According to the Uganda Police Force, Mugabi confessed to stealing the officer’s phone while the officer was resting inside a vehicle. He told investigators he handed the device to an accomplice, who later sold it for UGX 900,000 to Juma Mugerwa, the proprietor of a mobile phone shop at Cooper Complex in Kampala. Police said the officer’s stolen phone has since been recovered.
Acting on the information, officers raided Mugerwa’s shop on July 21, recovering seven functioning iPhones, five iPads, three laptops, phone-resetting machines, a microscope and a large quantity of iPhone spare parts. A subsequent search of Mugerwa’s vehicle uncovered 120 suspected stolen iPhones, ranging from the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models to older versions.
Police identified the four suspects in custody as Richard Mugabi, Juma Mugerwa, Frank Mwesigwa and Sumaya Mutesi. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly involved in buying suspected stolen iPhones and spare parts from individuals operating on the streets of Kampala and surrounding areas before reselling them.
Investigators are now working to establish the ownership of the recovered devices and identify additional members of the suspected criminal network. Police said at least nine owners have already reclaimed their phones after presenting proof of ownership, including IMEI numbers and purchase documentation.
The Uganda Police Force has appealed to members of the public who have recently lost or had their iPhones stolen to report to Katwe Police Station with proof of ownership to facilitate identification and recovery of their devices.
The latest recovery comes amid heightened police operations targeting the trade in stolen mobile phones in Kampala. Earlier this month, security agencies recovered hundreds of suspected stolen mobile phones during intelligence-led raids at Cooper Complex, a location that investigators say has become a key marketplace for illicit electronic devices.
