200 arrested in security crackdown in Kampala

The police have arrested 200 people during a crackdown in hotspots harbouring suspected criminal elements in Kampala.

The Wednesday and Thursday intelligence-led operations were linked to cases of drug abuse, mugging and robberies.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Racheal Kawala, said the exercise was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating in urban and peri-urban areas.

The operations were conducted in several locations, including Clock Tower, Kinyoro, and Kitende Zone in Makindye Division; Kalerwe in Kawempe Division; KKB Cell, Mutungo, and Kitende Wards in Wakiso District; as well as Wantoni, Nabuti, and Ngandu in Mukono Central Division.

"Our teams recovered various exhibits during the swoops, including suspected opium, housebreaking implements, identity cards not belonging to the suspects, and money transfer cards believed to be linked to illicit transactions, " said SP Kawala.

She said the recovered items are being analysed as part of ongoing investigations to establish possible links to organised crime and fraud-related activities.

According to her, all the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing screening ahead of possible court proceedings.

SP Kawala disclosed that similar intelligence-driven operations will continue as security agencies intensify efforts to curb crime and restore safety within the Kampala Metropolitan area, especially in areas identified as crime hotspots.

Kampala has recently been in the spotlight over a surge in criminal cases, including drug abuse, phone and bag snatching, mugging, theft, and robberies reported in several parts of the city and its surrounding areas.

In response, police and other joint security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring public safety.

According to the Police Crime Report of 2025, a total of 7,863 cases of robbery were reported to police, compared to 8,163 cases in 2024, representing a 3.7% decrease. Of these, 1,317 cases involved robberies where lethal weapons were not used, while 6,546 were aggravated robberies involving weapons such as firearms, knives, hammers, and machetes.

Out of the total robbery cases reported in 2025, 2,733 were taken to court, 1,054 were not proceeded with, while 4,076 remain under inquiry.

The report also indicates a mixed trend across categories. Aggravated robbery cases increased to 2,101 in 2025, up from 1,968 in 2024, representing a 6.7% increase.

Robbery of cash cases also rose significantly to 786 in 2025, compared to 573 in 2024, a 37.2% increase. Of the cash robbery cases, 200 were taken to court, 72 were not proceeded with, and 514 are still under inquiry.

Regionally, Kampala Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number of robberies in 2025, with KMP North leading at 1,007 cases, followed by KMP South with 779 and KMP East with 669.

Other high-reporting regions included Rwizi with 567 cases and North Kyoga with 429.

At the division level, Kawempe registered the highest number of robberies with 289 cases, followed by Katwe with 222, Jinja Road with 212, Kira with 186, Kabalagala with 183, Kasangati with 171, Old Kampala with 167, and Mukono with 157 cases.