Kampala Metropolitan Police South has arrested 109 suspects in a two-day intelligence-led operation targeting crime hotspots across the southern division of the capital, as new leadership takes charge of the command amid heightened efforts to curb urban crime.
The coordinated operations, conducted on February 23 and 24, covered Mukwano Roundabout, the Railway Line and 6th Street under Kabalagala Police Division; Zana Parish in Makindye-Ssabagabo under Katwe Division; Valley Zone in Salaama; and several areas under Nsangi Division including Nakasozi, Kimbejja, Magwa-Mpangala, Kisozi, Nakiragala, Nagalabi and Sumba.
According to the Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police South, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operations targeted identified criminal planning points and locations associated with narcotics abuse, mugging, simple robberies and motorcycle theft.
“A total of 109 suspects were arrested across the divisions and are currently in custody pending screening and court proceedings,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement.
“Several motorcycles and number plates suspected to be linked to theft were also recovered.”
The crackdown comes against the backdrop of growing public concern over a surge in urban crime in Kampala and its surrounding areas.
In recent months, police have recorded an increase in street robberies, particularly targeting pedestrians and motorists during early morning and late-night hours.
Motorcycle thefts and violent muggings in suburbs such as Kabalagala, Salaama, Nateete and parts of Makindye have also drawn widespread attention on social media.
Security analysts attribute part of the spike to economic pressures, drug abuse among urban youth and the mobility of criminal gangs operating across divisions within the metropolitan area.
Police leadership has responded with a series of disruptive and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling suspected criminal networks and reclaiming public spaces perceived to be unsafe.
The latest operations coincided with a leadership transition within the command. A new commander officially took over at Kampala Metropolitan Police South on Monday, pledging to prioritise visibility policing, rapid response and strengthened community intelligence.
The change in leadership is part of broader adjustments within the Uganda Police Force aimed at revitalising metropolitan security operations and improving coordination between divisions.
Senior officers say the renewed focus will combine enforcement with preventive strategies, including community policing, closer monitoring of known criminal elements and targeted patrols in high-risk areas.
Owoyesigyire said the operations are not a one-off exercise but part of sustained efforts to restore public confidence.
“KMP South remains committed to sustaining such operations to further reduce criminality and enhance public safety within the metropolitan area,” he said.
Police have urged members of the public to share timely information about suspected criminal activity, emphasising that community cooperation remains critical in preventing crime.
The recovery of motorcycles and suspected stolen number plates during the operation highlights the continued challenge of vehicle-related theft in the city.
Boda boda theft syndicates have in recent years become increasingly organised, often dismantling stolen motorcycles for parts or altering identification details before resale.
As the new commander settles into office, residents and business owners will be watching closely to see whether the intensified operations translate into a sustained reduction in crime levels.
For now, police insist the message to criminal elements is clear: the metropolitan area is under heightened surveillance, and enforcement operations will continue.
