Police in Kampala, working together with the UPDF, have arrested 18 suspects believed to be behind a wave of phone snatching and attacks targeting motorists around the Clock Tower area.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, SP Rachael Kawala, the arrests followed public concern and viral videos showing criminals attacking unsuspecting victims in traffic.
“In response to public outcry and widely circulated social media videos showing incidents of phone snatching and attacks on unsuspecting victims in motor vehicles, joint operations by the Police in Katwe and the UPDF were conducted around the Clock Tower area in Kampala, leading to the arrest of 18 suspects,” she said.
Kawala noted that the suspects were operating from a makeshift camp along the Nakivubo Channel in Katwe, specifically in Katenda Zone.
“It was established that the suspects had set up a camp along the Nakivubo Channel in Katwe (Katenda Zone), which harboured them. The illegal structures have since been successfully demolished by KCCA,” she added.
During the operation, security recovered several exhibits, including knives, a hammer and suspected narcotics.
Police say the crackdown is part of wider efforts to deal with rising criminal activity in the area.
Kawala revealed that similar operations conducted on April 6 in West Zone, Base Zone and Kibuye I Parish in Makindye Division led to the arrest of over 100 additional suspects.
“All suspects are currently in police custody pending court proceedings,” she said.
Police have vowed to continue the joint operations to restore safety in Kampala and curb street crime.
