Over 200 arrested as Police target criminal gangs in Kampala

KAMPALA - The Police in Kampala (KMP) say they carried out operations in various divisions to crack down on criminal gangs and dismantle their networks.

KMP spokesperson Patrick Onyango says these operations targeted areas known for crime, such as phone and bag snatching, and opium use.

He noted in a statement dated November 4, 2025, that operations were successful, and the Police aim to continue with them to curtail criminal networks and maintain safety in the areas.

In Old Kampala, Onyango said the Police on November 3, carried out an operation in areas of Wagaba Zone in Rubaga parish, Owino, Kisenyi, Musajjalumbwa, Usafi and Kafumbe Mukasa.

“The operation targeted thugs that rob people within Rubaga parish and Kisenyi Parish and their surroundings. A total of 75 suspects were arrested and detained at Old Kampala Police Station, Usafi Police Station, Owino Police Post, and Kafumbe Mukasa Police Post, pending court proceedings. The suspects were charged with crimes including possession of dangerous weapons, being in a building with intent to commit a felony and possession of opium. The operation involved both police and local leaders in covert and overt operations.”

Ntinda area

In Kira Road Division, Onyango said on November 4, 2025, “a disruptive operation was carried out in the areas of Ntinda under Kira Road Policing Area.The operation targeted individuals who frequent opium smoking places and attack unsuspecting citizens, especially along the bypass.

During the operation, 13 suspects were arrested and are being detained at the Kira Road Police Division. The operation was successful, and the police intend to maintain the same level of operations to eliminate criminality.”

Kira division

In Kira division, “under Kira Police Division operation was conducted in Bweyogerere Central Zone on November 3, 2025, at around 11:00 pm. The operation was a result of criminality in the area, northern bypass, and black spot areas, where suspected criminals who smoke, stock, and sell opium while planning criminal activities were targeted. A total of 7 suspects were arrested and charged with being in possession of narcotic substances. Exhibits of opium were also recovered and exhibited,” Onyango said.

Kitukutwe and Kungu operations

He revealed that, additionally, the Kira Division Police carried out a disruptive operation in Kitikutwe and Kungu Zone, Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, on Monday where 12 suspects were arrested. Exhibits of rolled and non-rolled opium were recovered, along with a panga suspected to be used in robberies. The suspects were charged with having narcotics and detained pending screening and processing for prosecution in courts of law.”

Patrick Onyango

In Nansana division, Onyango said: “A security joint intelligence-led operation was conducted in the areas of Nabweru, Kiwogo, and Ganda after public outcries about criminal gangs, phone snatching and burglaries. During the operation, 34 suspects were arrested, taking narcotic drugs such as opium and marijuana, which would result in terrorising the community with the commission of simple robberies and assaults. The 34 suspects were arrested and charged with being in possession of narcotic drugs and detained at Lubigi Police Station. Relevant exhibits, such as narcotic substances, were recovered and handed over to Lubigi Police Station.”

16 arrested in Nakawa

At Jinja Road Division, police on November 4, 2025, between 12:00am and 4:00am, carried out an operation together with the local defence systems in the areas of Katoogo and Kago, all in Kinawataka, Mbuya 1 Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala.

“During the operation, a total of 16 male suspects were rounded up from the mapped-out black spot, which is well-known for harbouring criminals who gather and engage in acts of smoking opium and waylaying and robbing people on the way. The suspects were found with opium in the known black spot. The arrested suspects were charged with public nuisance. The operation was a success".

Police pledged to continue with such disruptive operations.

In Kajjansi division, Onyango said on Monday, an operation was conducted in different areas of Kajjansi, including Bweya, Jjanyi, and Kitende A (Kawafu Gardens and Muwonge Road), where 21 suspects were arrested over various charges.

“Some of the arrested suspects are suspected snatchers. A lot of crimes are committed out of group and drug influences. The identified black spots are exact spots that gather and harbour wrongdoers,” Onyango stated.

Last week, Police carried out similar arrests where over 180 suspects in the KMP area were netted.

The operation comes amidst a surge in recent criminal activities involving armed machete thugs who are terrorising several parts of Kampala.

According to the Uganda Police Force's 2024 Annual Crime Report, KMP accounted for nearly 40% of all reported crimes despite being home to only about 3.5% of Uganda's population.

The report notes a recent overall decrease in crime nationwide, but violent crimes like robbery and homicide remain high in the capital. Specific crime trends include a 5% increase in robberies, a 1.9% increase in homicides, and a 46.5% surge in land-related crimes in 2024.