Nine victims have so far successfully reclaimed their stolen iPhones after positively identifying them at Katwe Police Station, where the devices were officially handed over following a verification process.
The handover comes days after police recovered more than 120 suspected stolen mobile phones and arrested four suspects believed to have been involved in the possession and suspected trade of the devices during an operation conducted on July 21, 2026.
Police said the recovery was prompted by growing public concern over the rising cases of mobile phone snatching and theft in Kampala.
The operation also followed the theft of a police officer’s mobile phone on July 16, 2026, while the officer was on lawful duty at Top City Plaza in Kisenyi.
Investigators believe many of the recovered phones belong to members of the public who have fallen victim to phone theft in recent months.
The verification exercise is ongoing to ensure that every recovered device is returned to its rightful owner.
The Uganda Police Force has appealed to people who have lost iPhones to report to Katwe Police Station with proof of ownership and any other relevant documentation to enable officers to verify their claims. Police said the devices will be released only after ownership has been confirmed in line with the established procedures.
Police spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, Racheal Kawala, said the exercise remains open as investigations continue into the suspected network behind the theft and sale of stolen mobile phones.
