Police have recovered 143 suspected stolen smartphones, the majority of them iPhones, following an intelligence-led operation in the Kampala Metropolitan area that also led to the arrest of three suspected members of an organised mobile phone theft and trafficking ring.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operation targeted a criminal syndicate believed to have been receiving stolen smartphones, tampering with their identifying features and smuggling them out of Uganda for sale in neighbouring countries.
The suspects arrested have been identified as Tumusiime Derrick, alias Gana, Niyonzima Fabrice, alias Sadat, and Kitoko Emmy.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the trio allegedly altered the motherboards and other unique identifying components of stolen smartphones to conceal their identities before trafficking the devices to markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Police said investigators have so far traced and identified the rightful owners of 20 of the recovered phones. The victims were able to provide details of theft cases they had previously reported, including police reference numbers, which helped confirm ownership of the devices.
Authorities believe many more of the recovered smartphones belong to victims who are yet to be identified as investigations continue.
Police say efforts are underway to recover more stolen phones, gather additional evidence and track down other members of the suspected criminal network.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police have urged anyone who lost an iPhone and reported the theft to police to visit the Crime Intelligence Directorate. Victims are advised to carry proof of ownership, together with the relevant police case reference number, to enable officers to verify their claims and facilitate the return of the recovered devices.
The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be produced before court once investigations are complete to face charges related to the alleged theft and trafficking of stolen mobile phones.
