crime 22 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Congolese National Apprehended in Kampala for Cross-Border Stolen Phone Ring
Police in Wakiso District have arrested a Congolese national suspected of orchestrating a scheme to smuggle stolen mobile phones from Kampala to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The arrest followed the digital tracking of a stolen iPhone, which led investigators to a major commercial hub in Kampala before its purported journey to the DRC. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/congolese-national-arrested-in-kampala-over-cross-border-stolen-phone-ring-5567470
Authorities in Nansana, Wakiso District, have taken a 34-year-old Congolese national, identified as Justine Kulimushi, into custody. He is suspected of leading an illicit operation that traffics stolen mobile phones from Kampala to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The operation, a collaborative effort between Nansana Police and intelligence officers, targeted downtown phone-fencing networks. The breakthrough came during an investigation into a Shs3 million iPhone reported stolen in Nansana on April 21, 2026.
Digital forensics revealed the stolen device was moved to Kalungi Plaza, a known center for illegal handset trading, before being transported to Beni in the eastern DRC. Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, stated that intelligence suggested Kulimushi regularly traveled to Uganda to acquire stolen phones for export.
On August 20, 2026, security forces received a tip that Kulimushi had re-entered Uganda and was actively purchasing stolen devices around Kalungi Plaza. During his arrest, officers recovered 27 second-hand mobile phones. These devices had reportedly been factory-reset or flashed to obscure their origins.
Investigators believe the phones were stolen from various parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area and then funneled through arcades to cross-border traders. Kulimushi is currently detained as efforts continue to dismantle the supply chain, identify local collaborators, and locate the owners of the seized phones. The public is encouraged to report any lost phones in the Kampala Metropolitan Area to the nearest police station with proof of ownership to aid in recovery.