KAMPALA — Police have arrested five suspects and recovered 12 motorcycles believed to have been stolen during an intelligence-led operation in Ndeeba, Kampala.
The operation was conducted on August 25 at about 5pm after police received complaints over the increasing theft of motorcycles in the Kampala metropolitan area.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Kawala Racheal, the investigation began after motorcycle UMA 330NR was reported stolen at Nabweru Police Station.
A police task team followed intelligence leads to Busabala in Katwe Division, where two men were arrested over the alleged theft.
The suspects were identified as Mugisha Ivan, 28, and Kabanda David, 25.
Police allege that the pair stole the motorcycle and hid it as they waited to remove its tracking device.
Following their arrest, the suspects reportedly led investigators to Ndeeba, where police identified several people and locations allegedly connected to the disposal of stolen motorcycles.
Police impounded 12 motorcycles from the area as investigations continued. Three additional suspects were arrested, bringing the number of people in custody to five.
Investigators suspect the group targets relatively new motorcycles, which are allegedly taken to Ndeeba after theft.
Police said tracking devices are removed before the motorcycles are sold for about Shs1.7 million each.
Some of the motorcycles are allegedly dismantled and sold as spare parts, while others are modified to make them appear older before being put back on the market.
Police said preliminary investigations have also linked some of the suspects to other cases reported at Old Kampala, Nateete, Jinja Road and Nabweru police stations.
The suspects remain in custody as detectives continue investigating the alleged motorcycle theft network and work to identify other people involved.
Police have appealed to members of the public to report motorcycle theft and suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The recovered motorcycles are being held pending further investigations and efforts to establish their rightful owners.
