Suspected Stolen Phones Recovered
The Uganda Police Force has recovered 723 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen following an intelligence-led operation at Cooper Complex in Kampala, in response to the rising cases of phone theft and snatching across the Kampala Metropolitan area.
The operation, conducted on 14th July 2026, targeted individuals suspected of handling and trafficking stolen mobile phones.
According to the Deputy Spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, officers searched 12 shops at Cooper Complex, leading to the recovery of the 723 suspected stolen phones.
Owoyesigyire said preliminary investigations indicate that the phones are allegedly tampered with before being sold. This includes altering their serial numbers (IMEI), making it extremely difficult for the rightful owners and law enforcement agencies to trace and recover them.
Police also recovered more than 460 used MTN and Airtel SIM cards from one of the shops, together with machines suspected to have been used to alter mobile phone serial numbers.
”During the operation, three of the recovered phones received calls from individuals who identified themselves as the rightful owners. The callers reported that the phones had been stolen from them in the Makindye area of Kampala District, providing an immediate lead in the investigations,” Owoyesigire said.
A General Inquiry File has since been opened to establish the lawful ownership of all the recovered phones and facilitate their return to their rightful owners where appropriate.
Police arrested 13 suspects, who remain in custody pending screening and subsequent charging in connection with theft and related offences as investigations continue.
