Another sweeping police operation in Kampala has uncovered what authorities believe to be a major hub in a sprawling motorcycle theft network, with hundreds of stolen parts recovered and multiple suspects now in custody.
The operation, led by officers from Katwe Division, zeroed in on Wansanso Zone in Kibuye II Parish, Makindye Division, an area long suspected of harboring illegal motorcycle dismantling activities.
Acting on intelligence, officers launched the crackdown on April 20, intensifying their search on the morning of April 22, 2026.
By mid-morning, eight shops had been sealed off and thoroughly searched. What investigators found inside painted a troubling picture: piles of dismantled motorcycle components believed to belong to roughly 200 stolen bikes. Among the items recovered were dozens of number plates from Uganda and neighboring countries, tracking devices, and several motorcycles with tampered or completely removed identifiers, clear signs, police say, of an organized effort to conceal stolen property.
The operation didn’t stop there.
As evening fell, police shifted focus to tracking down suspects linked to the illicit trade. One man, identified as Faisal Kavuma, was arrested at Shell Kibuye.
A search of his shop allegedly turned up a brand-new motorcycle without a number plate alongside more suspicious spare parts.
In a separate arrest, Alex Sonko, a resident of Kinawa in Nateete, was apprehended after he was found in possession of a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle bearing registration UFC 830R, suspected to have been stolen. Authorities later tracked down a third suspect, Matovu Mike, in Ndeeba, tying him to the same network under investigation.
The Kampala Metropolitan Deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said the arrests mark a significant step in dismantling a well-coordinated criminal operation dealing in stolen motorcycles and illegal spare parts.
Police caution that the investigation is far from over, with more suspects believed to be at large.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to stamping out motorcycle theft, a crime that has plagued many urban communities, and warned that operations targeting similar networks will continue in full force.
