Police have uncovered an alleged motorcycle theft network in Kampala in which relatively new motorcycles are stolen, tracking devices removed and the bikes either resold or dismantled for spare parts.
The investigation began after the theft of motorcycle registration number UMA 330NR, which was reported at Nabweru Police Station.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, intelligence-led investigations traced the motorcycle to Busabala in Katwe Division, where two suspects were arrested.
The suspects have been identified as Mugisha Ivan, 28, and Kabanda David, 25.
“Following investigations and intelligence gathering, our task team traced the motorcycle to the Busabala area in Katwe Division in Kampala District,” Kawala said.
Police allege that the suspects had concealed the motorcycle while waiting for its tracking device to be removed.
Investigators later followed leads to Ndeeba, which police say is among the areas allegedly being used to process and dispose of stolen motorcycles.
“The suspects allegedly target relatively new motorcycles. After stealing the motorcycles, they reportedly transport them to Ndeeba, where tracking devices are removed,” Kawala said.
Police said the motorcycles are subsequently sold for about Shs1.7 million each, although investigators are still working to establish the full extent of the alleged operation.
The suspects reportedly led detectives to Ndeeba, where police identified individuals and locations allegedly connected to the disposal of motorcycles suspected to have been stolen over the past three months.
During the operation, police impounded 12 motorcycles suspected to have been stolen and arrested additional suspects.
Investigators also uncovered several alleged methods used to dispose of the motorcycles.
“Preliminary findings further indicate that some of the stolen motorcycles are dismantled and sold as spare parts, while others are allegedly modified, made to appear old, and subsequently resold,” Kawala said.
Five suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Police have also linked some of the suspects to other motorcycle theft cases reported at Old Kampala, Nateete, Jinja Road and Nabweru police stations.
Kawala said the investigation remains active as detectives pursue other individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged theft and disposal network.
“Investigations are still ongoing, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest additional suspects involved in the theft, concealment, dismantling, and disposal of stolen motorcycles,” she said.
The operation highlights the growing challenge of motorcycle theft in Kampala, where stolen bikes can be moved through different locations before tracking systems are disabled and the motorcycles are either resold or broken down for parts.
Police said the ongoing operation is aimed at dismantling the wider networks involved in the theft, concealment, dismantling and resale of motorcycles, rather than focusing only on individual theft incidents.
