KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Police Force has recovered more than 120 suspected stolen iPhones following an operation triggered by the theft of a police officer’s mobile phone in Kisenyi, Kampala.
The operation, conducted by officers attached to Katwe Police Station, led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Mugabi Richard, Mwesigwa Frank, Mutesi Sumaya, and Mugerwa Juma.
According to police, the breakthrough came after Mugabi Richard allegedly confessed to stealing a police officer’s iPhone on July 16, 2026, in Kisenyi.
His confession led investigators to a mobile phone shop at Cooper Complex in Kampala, where officers recovered more than 120 iPhones suspected to have been stolen from different victims.
During the operation, detectives examined the recovered devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers as part of efforts to establish their rightful owners and trace the origin of the phones.
The Uganda Police Force has appealed to members of the public who have recently lost or had their iPhones stolen to report to Katwe Police Station with proof of ownership, including purchase receipts, serial numbers, or any other supporting documentation.
Police said the verification process will enable investigators to identify genuine owners and facilitate the return of the recovered devices.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the phones and determine whether the suspects are part of a wider criminal network involved in the theft and trafficking of stolen mobile phones.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to report cases of phone theft promptly to aid investigations and improve the chances of recovering stolen property.
