Kampala Metropolitan Police have informed the public about a significant increase in muggings, particularly in Kawempe Division of Kampala City. The police have issued a warning to the community to stay alert due to a rise in incidents involving motorcycle-riding gangs who target unsuspecting pedestrians and rob them of their belongings in various parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Deputy spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, expressed concerns about the escalating number of phone and bag snatching incidents in specific areas. The affected locations include Kawempe Division, Northern Bypass, Kafumbe-Mukasa Road, and Namirembe Road. These criminal gangs employ motorcycles as their getaway vehicles.
Earlier in the year, cases of phone snatching by motorcycle gangs had decreased following several law enforcement operations conducted by the Directorate of Crime Intelligence. However, Mr. Owoyesigyire noted that many of the apprehended suspects, who were subsequently taken to court, have been granted bail, often after spending six or more months in remand. Authorities suspect that these individuals may be responsible for organizing more acts of violence on the streets through their associates.
The suspects typically target solitary pedestrians, with a preference for women, during the early morning or late evening hours. Their modus operandi involves one gang member putting the victim in a chokehold while another seizes the victim’s bag and empties their pockets of valuables. They then make a quick escape on a waiting motorcycle.
In a recent incident, three suspected phone snatchers, riding a motorcycle, targeted pedestrians in Kansanga Town, Makindye Division, robbing them of their phones and bags. Some victims sustained injuries from being struck with iron bars. The suspects were pursued by both the public and law enforcement agents, eventually being apprehended in Kabalagala Town. One of the suspects was killed, while the other two sustained serious injuries following a confrontation.
Kampala Metropolitan Police have initiated an operation to apprehend the suspected gang members, resulting in the arrest of more than 100 individuals who have been brought to court in recent months. Some of the stolen items have been successfully returned to their rightful owners.
The police are advising the public to avoid walking alone and carrying large sums of money, as they are more likely to become targets for these criminals. Additionally, motorists and pedestrians who use the Northern Bypass and Kafumbe-Mukasa Road are being urged to keep their smartphones securely in their pockets instead of holding them in their hands.
In a broader context, the police’s annual crime report for 2022 reveals an increase in reported robbery cases compared to the previous year. In 2022, 6,854 robbery cases were reported, with 4,338 categorized as simple robberies and 2,516 as aggravated robberies. By the end of 2022, out of the total reported robbery cases, 1,831 had been taken to court, 224 did not progress beyond the police investigation stage, and 4,799 remained under inquiry.
