Police have dismantled a suspected cross-border syndicate involved in stealing iPhones and smuggling them to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), recovering 143 stolen devices and arresting three suspects.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the breakthrough followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Crime Intelligence Directorate.
“Our Crime Intelligence Directorate conducted an operation that led to the recovery of these phones. Overall, about 143 iPhones were recovered,” Owoyesigyire said during a press briefing at the Central Police Station in Kampala.
The main suspect, Derrick Tumusiime, also known as “Eguna,” was arrested while in possession of the majority of the recovered phones. Two other suspects, Fabrice Niyonzima, who was found with six iPhones, and Emmy Kitoko, were also arrested.
Police said investigations revealed that Kitoko had already loaded a consignment of stolen phones onto a bus destined for Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the devices were allegedly intended for sale.
The suspects reportedly confessed that they sourced the phones from thieves who operate outside legitimate phone businesses before smuggling them across the border.
Owoyesigyire said police have so far identified the owners of 20 of the recovered iPhones and are working to trace the remaining victims.
“We appeal to anyone who has lost an iPhone to come to the police and verify whether it is among the recovered devices,” he said.
Police also warned the public against purchasing second-hand phones from unverified dealers, saying criminals have devised ways of concealing stolen devices by removing their original motherboards and replacing them with cheaper ones.
“It becomes difficult to trace these phones because criminals remove the original motherboard and insert a cheaper one before selling them. Many people may unknowingly be using stolen phones,” Owoyesigyire explained.
He further warned phone dealers against trading in suspicious devices, saying anyone found dealing in suspected stolen property risks arrest and prosecution.
Investigations indicate that many of the recovered phones were stolen from victims in bars, along roads, inside vehicles, and through bag-snatching incidents across Kampala.
Owoyesigyire urged victims of phone theft to always report such cases to the nearest police station, noting that most of the owners already identified were traced through theft reports previously filed at police stations, including Wandegeya, Kira Road, Entebbe, and Old Kampala.
He added that the operation is ongoing, with more recoveries and arrests expected as police intensify the crackdown on cross-border phone theft syndicates.
“We hope the prosecution of these suspects will deter others from engaging in similar criminal activities,” Owoyesigyire said.
