Quaraish Lukyamuzi's days were numbered but he just did not count them out as he focused on counting the number plates he snatched from people's vehicles.
Police in Mbarara City have arrested the man accused of being behind a wave of motor vehicle number plate thefts that had been troubling residents in the city suburbs.
Lukyamuzi, from Rakai District, was arrested on April 24, 2026, following a joint intelligence-led operation involving police and other security agencies.
According to authorities, Lukyamuzi was tracked to a lodge in Katete Ward, Mbarara City South, which investigators believe he was using as a base to coordinate his activities.
Police say the suspect mainly targeted vehicles parked overnight in Katete and Kakoba wards, removing registration plates under the cover of darkness before contacting owners and demanding payment for their return.
Samson Kasasira said victims were asked to pay between Shs100,000 and Shs200,000 to recover their plates.
“The suspect would subsequently demand ransoms ranging between Shs100,000 and Shs200,000 for the return of the plates. Many victims, desperate to avoid the bureaucratic hurdles of replacing government-issued plates, reportedly fell prey to these demands,” Kasasira said.
Police added that Lukyamuzi cooperated with investigators after his arrest, leading them to several locations where stolen plates had been hidden.
A total of 16 number plates were recovered, including UBN 769F, UBG 346G, UBM 107X, UAT 305F, UAR 213T, UAQ 844D, UAW 162E, UBD 794E, UAR 269T, UBQ 527J, UBQ 206R, UBK 029D, UBJ 121C, UAV 661R, and UBJ 879Q.
Authorities noted that some victims had already paid the ransom and retrieved their plates before the suspect’s arrest.
Kasasira said the suspect is being held at Mbarara Central Police Station as investigations continue into whether he was operating within a larger criminal network.
“We are continuing with our investigations to determine if the suspect was working within a larger syndicate. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report such thefts immediately rather than negotiating with criminals, as this only emboldens them,” he said.
Police have called on vehicle owners whose number plates match the recovered list to report to Mbarara Central Police Station with proof of ownership to reclaim their property.
The arrest marks a breakthrough in efforts to curb rising incidents of number plate thefts in residential areas of Mbarara City.
