A major police operation across Kampala and Wakiso districts has led to the arrest of 79 suspects as security agencies intensified efforts to tackle crime and drug abuse in the metropolitan area.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, joint teams comprising police officers, local leaders, and community security stakeholders carried out overnight raids on June 9 and 10 in several crime-prone areas.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, the operations targeted locations believed to be hideouts for suspected criminals, particularly youths allegedly involved in drug abuse, robberies, phone snatching, assaults, house break-ins, and theft.
The raids were conducted in several hotspots, including Butabika, Kyebando, the Old Taxi Park area, Wilson Road, City Square, Bujjuko, and Ngobe Cell.
During the operation, Owoyesigyire reported that police recovered suspected narcotic substances such as marijuana and opium, along with tools believed to have been used in house-breaking incidents.
Police said some of those arrested are repeat offenders who have previously been linked to criminal cases.
He said the suspects were charged and are being held at various police stations as investigations continue ahead of prosecution.
Police also credited members of the public for providing information that helped guide the operations, and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities.
Police vowed to maintain intelligence-led operations aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety across the Kampala Metropolitan area.
