143 Suspected Stolen iPhones Recovered as Police Arrest Three in Major Crackdown

Police have recovered 143 suspected stolen smartphones and arrested three suspects during an intelligence-led operation targeting an organised mobile phone theft and trafficking network in the Kampala Metropolitan area.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the recovered devices are mostly iPhones that investigators believe had been stolen before being prepared for sale outside Uganda.

The suspects have been identified as Tumusiime Derrick, also known as Gana, Niyonzima Fabrice, also known as Sadat, and Kitoko Emmy.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the trio belongs to a criminal network that receives suspected stolen mobile phones, tampers with their motherboards and other identifying components to conceal their origin, and traffics them to neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Police said investigations have so far enabled officers to identify the owners of 20 of the recovered phones. The victims have since confirmed ownership by presenting details of theft cases they had previously reported, including police reference numbers.

Investigators are continuing with efforts to trace the owners of the remaining devices, recover more exhibits, and arrest other suspects believed to be linked to the syndicate.

Kampala Metropolitan Police has appealed to members of the public who previously lost iPhones and reported the incidents to visit the Crime Intelligence Directorate with proof of ownership and the relevant police case reference number for verification and possible recovery of their phones.

The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations to face charges related to their alleged involvement in the criminal enterprise.

Police said the operation reflects its continued efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks involved in the theft and cross-border trafficking of mobile phones. The force also urged the public to report phone theft cases promptly to support investigations and improve the chances of recovering stolen devices.

The operation was confirmed by Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire.