Police in the Kampala Metropolitan area have arrested more than 150 suspects during coordinated night operations targeting crime hotspots and black spots across the city.
The operations, conducted on the night of 9 March 2026, were carried out jointly by the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), focusing on areas believed to harbor criminal activity including narcotics use, gambling, and planning of robberies.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the operations covered several policing divisions including Kira, Kajjansi, Wandegeya, Kakiri, Matugga, Kira Road, and the Central Business District under CPS Kampala.
“Police in KMP conducted a series of coordinated disruptive operations targeting identified crime hotspots and black spots where criminal elements gather, smoke narcotic substances, gamble, and plan criminal activities such as phone snatching, burglaries and robberies,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the operations were supervised by Divisional Police Commanders and Operations Commanders within their respective jurisdictions to ensure effective coordination.
During the raids, security teams recovered several items believed to be linked to criminal activity. These included marijuana, suspected narcotic substances, knives, playing cards and other materials allegedly used by suspects while planning or carrying out crimes.
“Exhibits recovered include marijuana, suspected narcotic substances, knives, playing cards and other items used in criminal activities,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police said the suspects are currently being screened and processed at different police stations where statements are being recorded before files are forwarded for prosecution.
“Several cases have been opened at the respective police stations, and the suspects are currently undergoing screening, statement recording and processing for court,” he added.
Preliminary investigations suggest that many of the suspects routinely gather at the targeted locations where they allegedly consume narcotics, gamble and later participate in criminal acts targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
Police say similar operations will continue across the Kampala Metropolitan area as part of efforts to curb urban crime and improve public safety.
“The Uganda Police Force will continue conducting disruptive operations across the metropolitan area to deter criminal activity and enhance the safety of the public,” Owoyesigyire said.
He also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing information about suspected criminals operating within their communities.