Kampala Metropolitan Policing (KMP) area has once again emerged as the leading hotspot for mobile phone theft in Uganda, according to the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, despite an overall decline in reported cases nationwide.
The report indicates that a total of 5,783 cases of mobile phone theft were recorded in 2025, down from 7,330 cases in 2024 representing a 21.1% decrease.
However, the reduction has done little to shift the concentration of these crimes away from the capital and its surrounding areas.
KMP South topped the list with 795 reported cases, followed by KMP North with 678 and KMP East with 478.
Other regions trailed significantly, including Rwizi with 324 cases and Albertine South with 304, underscoring the persistent dominance of the Kampala metropolitan area in such crimes.
Police attribute the majority of these thefts to phone snatching incidents, often targeting unsuspecting members of the public in busy urban settings.
At the divisional level, Kampala’s urban centres were again the most affected.
Kabalagala division recorded the highest number of cases at 191, followed closely by Old Kampala (184), Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala (178), and Jinja Road (163). Hoima Central (150) and Katwe (141) were also among the top divisions.
The findings reinforce a continued trend observed in previous reports, where urban policing jurisdictions particularly within Kampala, bear the brunt of mobile phone-related crimes.
High population density, increased economic activity, and heavy human traffic are cited as key factors making the city a prime target for opportunistic thieves.
Despite the overall national decline, the report signals the need for sustained and targeted interventions in Kampala and other urban centres to curb the vice, as criminals continue to exploit crowded public spaces to carry out swift phone snatching operations.
