Operatives from the Crime Intelligence Directorate have made a major breakthrough in investigations into mobile phone theft in Kampala, recovering 143 stolen iPhones and arresting three suspects linked to a cross-border trafficking syndicate.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operation led to the arrest of Derrick Tumusiime, Fabrice Niyonzima and Emmy Kitoko.
"Niyonzima was found with six iPhones. We also arrested Emmy Kitoko after receiving information that the suspects had deposited a consignment of stolen phones on a bus destined for Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the devices were to be sold," Owoyesigyire said.
He added that the suspects confessed to obtaining the phones from thieves who do not operate legitimate phone businesses before smuggling the devices across the border.
Intelligence-Led Operation
Owoyesigyire said the breakthrough followed investigations into widespread phone theft reported across Kampala.
After victims reported the thefts at various police stations, operatives from the Crime Intelligence Directorate began tracking the stolen devices, eventually uncovering the syndicate.
He urged victims of phone theft to always report such incidents to the police.
"Our advice to victims is that whenever your phone is stolen, report the matter to the nearest police station. Many of the victims we have traced are those who filed police reports after their phones were stolen," he said.
According to Owoyesigyire, reporting theft cases greatly improves investigators' ability to trace stolen devices and identify their owners.
Criminals Alter Phones to Evade Detection
Police warned that iPhones are particularly targeted because criminals often replace their original motherboards with cheaper ones, making the devices much harder to trace.
"It becomes difficult to trace these phones because the criminals remove the original motherboard, insert a cheaper one, and then sell them either within Uganda or in neighbouring countries," Owoyesigyire explained.
"In simple terms, you may not even know that you are using a stolen phone because its motherboard has been replaced. Many people who buy second-hand phones may unknowingly be purchasing stolen devices."
He added that many of the stolen handsets are smuggled to neighbouring countries where they are more difficult for both owners and security agencies to trace.
Owoyesigyire said police have so far identified and reunited 20 recovered phones with their rightful owners, while efforts continue to trace the remaining victims.
He noted that the operation is still ongoing, with more recoveries and arrests expected.
"I want to inform the public that this operation is still ongoing. The recoveries have not stopped, and we shall arraign the suspects before the courts of law as soon as possible," he said.
He also warned phone dealers against purchasing suspicious devices.
"We are appealing to those who own phone shops to stop buying these phones because if our investigations lead us to your shop, you will be arrested on allegations of obtaining or dealing in suspected stolen property."
Police also urged members of the public to buy mobile phones and spare parts only from genuine dealers and authorized suppliers to avoid inadvertently purchasing stolen property.
"We appeal to members of the public to deal with genuine sellers, genuine suppliers and genuine parts, rather than buying from thieves who have made it a habit to traffic stolen phones," Owoyesigyire said.