Stolen vehicle recovered, three arrested in Luwero as police hunt for mastermind

LUWERO - Police in Luwero district have recovered a stolen motor vehicle and arrested three suspects believed to be part of an organised car theft syndicate operating across central Uganda.

The vehicle, a G Touring Toyota Corolla with registration number UAV 770L, was stolen on September 9, 2025, from a residence in Wobulenzi Town Council.

A coordinated police operation based on intelligence led to the arrest of the suspects on September 15.

According to ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah region police spokesperson, the arrested individuals include Kalyesubula David, 28, who allegedly drove the stolen car from Wobulenzi to Buwambo in Wakiso district, where it was later recovered; Ssentogo Musa, 28, who is accused of facilitating Kalyesubula’s involvement in the crime; and Kiwanuka Geoffrey, 23, identified as the organiser of the theft and reportedly a key member of a wider vehicle theft network.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to stealing another vehicle, a white Toyota Ipsum with registration number UAN 906J, on August 11, 2025, from Katikamu subcounty.

That vehicle was allegedly sold to a mechanic in Bwaise, Kampala, but has not yet been recovered.

The suspects also named Kakuru Keneth as the mastermind behind the syndicate.

Kakuru, who was released from prison earlier this year on similar charges, is currently on the run. Police have launched a manhunt for his arrest.

ASP Twiineamazima said police are widening the investigation to determine whether the suspects are linked to other unsolved car theft cases in the region.

“We are conducting thorough interrogations and reviewing related case files from all police stations in the district. Further inquiries are ongoing, and we shall keep the public updated,” he said.

This latest incident comes amid growing concerns about motor vehicle thefts across the country.

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report released by the Uganda Police Force, 4,890 motor vehicles were reported stolen nationwide last year.

Of these, 2,447 were successfully recovered, 486 were found abandoned, while 1,957 remain unaccounted for.

The number of reported vehicle theft cases stood at 999 in 2024, representing a slight decrease of 1.2 percent from 1,011 cases recorded in 2023.

The report also showed that Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) South recorded the highest number of cases with 202, followed by KMP North with 188, KMP East with 144, Rwizi with 88, Greater Masaka with 40, and Savannah Region, where Luwero is located, with 37 cases.

Police attribute the slight decline in cases to intensified surveillance, improved community policing, and the increased use of vehicle tracking technologies.

However, they continue to urge motorists to adopt additional security measures such as installing GPS trackers and parking in secure, well-lit locations.

ASP Twiineamazima called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities that could assist ongoing investigations.

“Public cooperation is key. These criminal networks thrive on secrecy and familiarity with local areas. Timely reporting can help us stop them before they strike again,” he said.