A suspected vehicle number plate thief who had reportedly been extorting motorists for Shs500,000 to recover their stolen plates has been arrested in Maganjo, Kawempe Division. The suspect, Mugerwa Umaru, 29, was arrested by police during a night patrol at about 2:00am on March 12, 2026, along Mau Jinja Kaloli Road in Maganjo B. According […]
A suspected vehicle number plate thief who had reportedly been extorting motorists for Shs500,000 to recover their stolen plates has been arrested in Maganjo, Kawempe Division.
The suspect, Mugerwa Umaru, 29, was arrested by police during a night patrol at about 2:00am on March 12, 2026, along Mau Jinja Kaloli Road in Maganjo B.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, motorists had been complaining since January 2026 that their vehicle number plates were mysteriously disappearing.
After the thefts, the criminals would reportedly leave behind a phone number demanding Shs500,000 in exchange for returning the plates.
When police intercepted Mugerwa during the patrol, he was found carrying suspected breaking tools, papers containing the telephone contact used in the scheme, and a SIM card linked to the extortion number.
Police say the suspect confessed to the crimes and led officers to bushes in Jinja Kaloli and Kilokole Zone in Kawempe, where 17 stolen vehicle number plates were recovered.
The suspect is currently detained as investigations continue, with police now trying to establish whether he was working alone or as part of a wider criminal network targeting motorists.
Authorities have urged motorists to report immediately if their number plates are stolen, warning that criminals are increasingly using such tactics to extort money from victims.
Meanwhile, residents of Igeyero, Waitambogwe Sub-County, Mayuge District are breathing a sigh of relief after police launched a joint operation on 11th March 2026, arresting 42 suspects linked to a series of robberies and counterfeit currency scams.
The suspects reportedly lured unsuspecting victims into bogus deals involving cattle, produce, and fake US dollars. Once on site, victims were allegedly attacked and robbed. Police investigations continue as authorities work to apprehend other members of the criminal network.
ASP Kasadha Micheal, Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson, said the operation signals a strong crackdown on fraud and robbery in the district.
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