Kampala Police Arrest 79 in Major Criminal Sweep

Police in Kampala have announced the arrest of 79 suspects as part of a targeted operation aimed at curbing criminal activities within the metropolitan area. The crackdown, described as intelligence-led, focused significantly on dismantling a network believed to be involved in motorcycle theft, a crime that has been plaguing the city.

According to Kampala Police Spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, the operation led to significant arrests across several divisions. One key breakthrough occurred in Masajja A Cell, Wakiso District, where the arrest of a suspect found with a stolen motorcycle led investigators to his accomplices. The recovered Haojue motorcycle, bearing registration UMA 399GY, was reportedly being transported for sale when intercepted.

The suspect apprehended in Masajja was also found in possession of a panga, an implement reportedly used to intimidate victims during robberies. SP Kawala noted that the operation spanned multiple locations, with substantial numbers of arrests made in areas like Clock Tower, Katwe Kinyoro, and Kibuye Parish in Makindye Division, where 32 individuals were detained.

Further operations by the Jinja Road Police Division resulted in the apprehension of 10 suspects in various locations including Kitintale Zone 10, Mbuya, and along the Nakawa and Lugogo traffic light corridors. Additionally, a separate operation conducted at Tropical Bar in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, led to the arrest of 36 more suspects.

This multi-pronged approach highlights the police’s commitment to enhancing security and tackling criminal networks operating within Kampala. The arrests are expected to disrupt ongoing criminal operations and bring perpetrators to justice. The Daily Monitor reported these developments from Kampala Central Police Station.