Police Swoop on Motorcycle Theft Ring in Kampala, 29 Arrested

Police in Katwe have dealt a significant blow to a motorcycle theft syndicate operating in Kampala, arresting 29 male suspects and recovering dozens of stolen motorcycle parts in a major crackdown that unfolded today.

The operation, mounted in response to a public outcry over the rising theft of motorcycles in the Katwe area, targeted the suburbs of Ndeeba and Muganzirwaza, where security operatives descended on two zones — Muganzirwaza Zone and Mutebi Zone — both falling under Rubaga Division in Kampala District.

Alongside the arrests, officers recovered 24 motorcycle spare parts and a collection of old motorcycle number plates, raising suspicions of an organised chop-shop network operating in the area. Six number plates recovered during the operation have been listed for tracing and verification. They include UFY 763/A, UGG 874/E, UMA 304DR, UET 612/L, and UMA 267GT, among others.

Authorities have since cordoned off 10 shops in the Muganzirwaza area pending thorough searches, as detectives work to establish the full scale of the criminal network and trace the origin of the recovered items.

Discover more

Motorcycles

Demographics

City & Local Guides

Police have confirmed that the crackdown is still underway, with security personnel continuing to comb the area in a sustained effort to dismantle what appears to be a well-entrenched stolen motorcycle parts trade. A statement from Katwe Police extended gratitude to members of the public whose tip-offs made the operation possible.

“We thank those members of the public that brought this concern to our attention,” the statement read.

Residents and boda boda operators in the greater Kampala area are urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity to the nearest police station, and verify the documentation of any motorcycle spare parts they purchase. Anyone with information relating to stolen motorcycles or suspects connected to this syndicate is encouraged to contact Katwe Police Station or the Uganda Police Force through official channels.