A sweeping security crackdown across Kampala and its surrounding areas has left scores of suspects behind bars following a coordinated series of police operations targeting rising urban crime.
According to a statement released on April 8, 2026, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said police carried out multiple raids in key hotspots, leading to the arrest of more than 80 individuals suspected of involvement in various criminal activities.
In Nansana Municipality, patrol officers apprehended 18-year-old Moses Arinaitwe, who was allegedly found carrying a panga under suspicious circumstances.
Authorities believe the weapon may have been intended for use in a planned attack.
The most significant operation unfolded a day earlier, on April 7, spanning areas including Biwologoma, Clock Tower, and Arua Park.
During the coordinated raids, 43 suspects were rounded up for allegedly preying on unsuspecting members of the public.
All are being held at Central Police Station Kampala and expected to appear in court.
In a separate incident, officers intercepted a suspected motorcycle-borne phone snatcher in the city center.
The suspect was reportedly found with several stolen smartphones and is believed to be part of a wider criminal syndicate targeting commuters.
Security forces also turned their attention to Najjera, where a joint operation involving the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Force led to the arrest of three individuals linked to illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution.
Meanwhile, in Kamwokya, another wave of arrests saw 35 suspects detained in areas long identified as crime-prone “black spots,” as authorities intensified efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.
Police in Kabalagala also captured a high-profile suspect, Emma Muteso, who has been on the run over alleged links to aggravated robbery and murder cases. Authorities say the hunt for his accomplices is still ongoing.
Owoyesigyire said all suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with police vowing to sustain the momentum of such operations in a bid to restore public safety across the capital.
He reaffirmed the force’s commitment to protecting residents and cracking down on criminal elements.
