Police has recovered more than 700 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen and over 460 used MTN and Airtel SIM cards during an intelligence-led operation at Cooper Complex in Kampala.
Police initially reported that about 300 stolen phones had been recovered during the operation on Tuesday, July 14. However, by the close of business, the number had risen to 723 recovered phones following an extensive search of 12 shops at the busy electronics market.
The operation also led to the recovery of machines suspected to have been used to alter mobile phone serial numbers, a practice investigators say is used to conceal the identity of stolen devices before they are sold, often across Uganda’s borders.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the operation was prompted by an increase in cases of phone theft and snatching across the Kampala Metropolitan area.
“Following an increase in cases of phone theft and snatching within the Kampala Metropolitan area, the Uganda Police Force on 14th July 2026 conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected handlers of stolen mobile phones,” Owoyesigyire said.
He added that police searched 12 shops at Cooper Complex, recovering 723 mobile phones suspected to be stolen.
According to preliminary investigations, the stolen phones were allegedly being altered, including tampering with their serial numbers, before being sold across borders, making it difficult for the rightful owners to trace or recover them.
Police also recovered more than 460 used MTN and Airtel SIM cards from one of the shops, alongside equipment believed to have been used in the alteration of phone serial numbers.
In a development that immediately strengthened investigators’ case, Owoyesigyire said three of the recovered phones rang during the operation, with callers identifying themselves as the rightful owners.
“The callers reported that the phones had been stolen from them in the Makindye area in Kampala District, providing an immediate lead in the investigations,” he said.
Police have since opened a General Inquiry File to establish the lawful ownership of all the recovered phones and facilitate their return to their rightful owners where appropriate.
A total of 13 suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently undergoing police screening as investigations continue.
The latest recovery comes amid growing concern over the rising number of mobile phone thefts and snatching incidents in Kampala.
On June 29, 2026, police arrested three suspects accused of stealing iPhones and trafficking them to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the operation, officers recovered 143 suspected stolen iPhones.
