A suspected stolen phone business has been uncovered in Kampala after police recovered 120 iPhones, including high-end models, and arrested four people believed to be linked to the illegal trade. The operation began after a police officer lost his mobile phone on July 16, 2026, while on duty at Top City Plaza in Kisenyi Cell. […]
A suspected stolen phone business has been uncovered in Kampala after police recovered 120 iPhones, including high-end models, and arrested four people believed to be linked to the illegal trade.
The operation began after a police officer lost his mobile phone on July 16, 2026, while on duty at Top City Plaza in Kisenyi Cell.
Police investigations quickly picked up leads, leading to the arrest of Mugabi Richard in the early hours of July 18 at his home in Kakajo, Kisenyi.
During interrogation, Mugabi allegedly confessed to stealing the officer’s phone while the officer was resting in a vehicle.
He reportedly told detectives that after stealing the phone, he handed it to another person who later sold it to phone dealer Mugerwa Juma at Cooper Complex for Shs900,000.
The stolen phone was eventually recovered, but the trail led investigators to what police believe could be a wider stolen phone network.
Racheal Kawala, the KMP police spokesperson says on July 21, detectives raided Mugerwa’s phone shop at Cooper Complex, where they recovered several suspected stolen electronic devices and equipment used in phone servicing.
Among the items seized were seven working iPhones, five iPads, three laptops, phone resetting machines, a microscope and a large collection of iPhone spare parts.
The biggest discovery came after police searched Mugerwa’s vehicle, where they found 120 suspected stolen iPhones.
The recovered phones included some of the latest and most expensive models, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside older versions.
Police suspect the phones may have been collected from different theft incidents across Kampala, with preliminary findings showing that the suspect allegedly bought devices and spare parts from street dealers.
She reveals the four suspects are now in custody including; Mugabi Richard, Mwesigwa Frank, Mutesi Sumaya and
Mugerwa Juma
Police say the investigation is not over, as detectives continue tracing other people believed to be part of the suspected stolen phone network.
She has called on people who recently lost iPhones to visit Katwe Police Station with ownership documents so that recovered devices can be identified and returned to their owners.
