Kampala Police Apprehend 200 in Sweep Against Criminal Networks

Security forces in Kampala have apprehended 200 suspects following a two-day intelligence-led crackdown targeting criminal elements in various city hotspots. The operations, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, focused on areas identified as hubs for illicit activities including drug use, street mugging, and robberies.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Racheal Kawala, stated that the crackdown is part of a broader, ongoing strategy to disrupt organized crime within urban and peri-urban areas. “Our teams recovered various exhibits during the swoops, including suspected opium, housebreaking implements, identity cards not belonging to the suspects, and money transfer cards believed to be linked to illicit transactions,” SP Kawala reported.

The affected areas included Clock Tower, Kinyoro, and Kitende Zone in Makindye Division; Kalerwe in Kawempe Division; KKB Cell, Mutungo, and Kitende Wards in Wakiso District; as well as Wantoni, Nabuti, and Ngandu in Mukono Central Division. The recovered items are currently undergoing analysis to determine their connection to organized criminal activities and fraud.

All apprehended individuals are in police custody and are being screened as investigations continue. SP Kawala indicated that similar intelligence-driven operations will be sustained to enhance safety and curb the recent surge in crime, which includes phone and bag snatching, theft, and robberies, particularly within the Kampala Metropolitan area.

This intensified security effort comes in the wake of a notable increase in certain types of robbery, with Kampala Metropolitan Police recording the highest numbers in 2025, according to the 2025 Police Crime Report. The report highlighted a rise in aggravated robberies and cash robberies, underscoring the need for these proactive security measures.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/200-arrested-in-security-crackdown-in-kampala-5468812