Kampala Crime Map: Police Identify New Hotspots as Gangs Change Tactics

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that the church management reported the death to the authorities.

KAMPALA – Uganda Police have identified new crime hotspots across the country as organized criminal gangs continue to shift their operations to rapidly growing urban centres, busy highways, entertainment areas and rural communities, prompting intensified security operations.

According to Police, criminals are increasingly abandoning traditional hideouts in favour of smaller, mobile groups that frequently relocate to evade arrest, forcing security agencies to continuously review deployment strategies and redirect resources to emerging high-risk areas.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said intelligence-led operations launched on February 15 have significantly disrupted criminal networks, leading to the arrest of more than 10,000 suspects involved in violent robberies, burglaries, drug-related offences and theft.

“The operations are intelligence-led and intended to deny criminals safe spaces within our communities. We continue to adapt our deployment because criminal groups also keep changing their areas of operation,” Kituuma said.

He noted that the operations have focused on dismantling criminal hideouts, disrupting narcotics distribution networks and targeting repeat offenders responsible for violent crimes.

Emerging Crime Hotspots

Police say recent intelligence has identified several new crime hotspots within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area where criminal activity has increased.

In Kampala Metropolitan East, security agencies are monitoring Mutungo Zone One (Kunya), Bajjo in Seeta, Kamwokya, Mulimira, Bukoto, Kisasi, Naguru, Kyanja, Kyebando, Nsooba and areas along the Northern Bypass.

In Kira Division, authorities have placed Najjera, Kyaliwajjala, Namugongo, Kireka, Bweyogerere and Bulindo under close surveillance.

Police recently arrested 22 suspects during an operation in Bajjo after recovering suspected opium. Preliminary investigations linked some of the suspects to phone snatching, robberies and drug abuse.

In a separate raid conducted in Mutungo Zone One, eight male suspects were arrested from suspected criminal hideouts associated with robbery and drug abuse. The suspects remain in custody pending prosecution.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said joint security operations targeting criminal hideouts and black spots will continue to curb street crime, house break-ins, robberies and drug-related offences.

Security Tightened Across Kampala

Police have also intensified surveillance in several parts of the city, including Kisenyi, Nakulabye, Kawaala, Kasubi, Lusaze, Lugala, Lubya, Bukesa, Blue Room and New Park, where criminals have reportedly been targeting traders and members of the public.

Additional deployments have been made in Ndeeba, Najjanankumbi, Salama, Katwe Kinyoro, Makindye, Kibuye, Kikajjo, Ndejje, Masajja and Nyanama.

The Kabalagala policing area, covering Nsambya, Namuwongo, Wabigalo, Kansanga, Ggaba, Bukasa, Kibuli and Bunga, has also recorded an increase in robberies targeting people leaving entertainment venues and financial institutions.

Police identified Kiwempe and Kibati in Kansanga as suspected planning centres for criminal activities following repeated reports of house break-ins and simple robberies. A security operation conducted on July 7 resulted in the arrest of 30 suspects.

Other areas where security has been strengthened include Nateete, Busega, Nalukolongo, Lungujja, Mutundwe, Nsangi, Kyengera, Nabingo, Mugongo, Namagoma, Kabojja, Buddo, Bujuuko, Naluvule, Nansana, Ganda and Wamala.

Within Kampala’s Central Business District, police have maintained heightened surveillance around Kiseeka Market, Arua Park, William Street, Luwum Street, Cooper Complex, Clock Tower, Nakasero, Kinawataka and major traffic junctions following increased incidents of phone snatching, theft and robberies.

Police have also expressed concern over a growing number of mob justice cases reported in several of the identified hotspots.

Investigators say criminal gangs now frequently use motorcycles to execute quick attacks before escaping to neighbouring communities. Others reportedly disguise themselves as boda boda riders, casual labourers or street vendors, making it difficult for victims to identify them before attacks occur.

Rural Crime Also on the Rise

Beyond Kampala, Police have reported a worrying rise in attacks targeting livestock and commercial farms.

In Luwero District, detectives are investigating an incident in Kamira Town Council where 30 cattle and 10 goats were deliberately injured by unknown assailants.

According to Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima, the case was reported by Betty Nabukenya on behalf of her father, Erasmus Kigaba, and investigations are ongoing.

A similar incident has been recorded in Kasese District, where five cattle were seriously injured after a group armed with pangas, spears and stones allegedly attacked livestock belonging to local herdsmen.

Police have arrested one suspect, Zaverio Muhindo, while efforts continue to trace other members of the group.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious individuals and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue to dismantle criminal networks across the country.