Kampala, Uganda: Police have recovered 723 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen following an intelligence-led operation at Cooper Complex in Kampala, in what investigators describe as a major breakthrough in dismantling criminal networks dealing in stolen electronic devices.
The Tuesday operation targeted individuals suspected of dealing in stolen mobile phones after police received intelligence indicating that the commercial building had become a key trading point for stolen electronic devices.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, detectives searched 12 shops within Cooper Complex, leading to the recovery of hundreds of mobile phones believed to have been stolen from members of the public.
“Following an increase in cases of phone theft and snatching within the Kampala Metropolitan area, the Uganda Police Force conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected handlers of stolen mobile phones,” Owoyesigyire said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that criminals have been altering the identity of stolen phones by tampering with their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) serial numbers before trafficking them across Uganda’s borders, making it difficult for victims and authorities to trace and recover the devices.
During the operation, police also recovered more than 460 used MTN and Airtel SIM cards, as well as specialised machines suspected to have been used to alter mobile phone serial numbers.
Investigators believe the recovered equipment was being used to conceal the identity of stolen devices before they were resold on the black market.
In a significant breakthrough, police said three of the recovered mobile phones received calls from individuals who identified themselves as the rightful owners while the operation was still ongoing.
The callers reportedly informed detectives that the phones had earlier been stolen from them in Makindye Division, providing investigators with immediate leads linking the recovered devices to reported theft cases.
Police have since opened a General Inquiry File (GIF) to establish the lawful ownership of all the recovered phones and facilitate the return of verified devices to their rightful owners.
A total of 13 suspects were arrested during the operation and remain in police custody pending screening and further investigations.
“A General Inquiry File has been opened to establish the legal ownership of all the recovered phones and to facilitate their return to their rightful owners where appropriate,” Owoyesigyire said.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Uganda Police Force to crack down on organised criminal syndicates involved in phone theft, robbery and the illegal trade in stolen electronic devices.
Police have urged members of the public to keep records of their mobile phone IMEI numbers, which can be obtained by dialing *#06#, saying the information greatly assists investigators in tracing stolen devices.
Authorities also advised phone buyers to purchase devices only from authorised dealers and avoid suspiciously cheap phones, warning that anyone found in possession of stolen property risks prosecution under the law.
Investigations into the suspected phone theft and trafficking network are ongoing, with police indicating that more arrests could follow as detectives pursue other individuals believed to be connected to the operation.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
