Police in Kampala have arrested three suspects accused of being involved in the unauthorised registration and sale of Airtel, MTN and Lyca SIM cards, alongside the alleged possession and misuse of National Identification Cards and other identification documents.
The suspects were arrested by officers from Kampala Metropolitan Police North through Old Kampala Police Division following information about suspected illegal activities involving mobile phone line registration and duplication of identification documents.
According to police, the matter was reported at Old Kampala Police Station after information emerged in late July 2026 that some individuals were allegedly using customers’ National Identification Cards to duplicate mobile phone lines without their knowledge or approval.
Police said the suspects were also allegedly involved in duplicating passport copies and using them to register new SIM cards for different people, a practice that could expose victims to identity theft and other criminal activities.
On August 5, 2026, at around 10:00am, a joint team of officers from Central Police Station Kampala Crime Unit and Old Kampala Police Division carried out an operation at New Park Wholesale Building in Kampala Central Division.
The operation was conducted after police received intelligence indicating that some tenants at the building were allegedly involved in illegal SIM card registration and the duplication of identification documents.
During the operation, police searched three shops believed to be linked to the alleged activities and arrested three suspects. Authorities said other individuals suspected to be connected to the operation managed to escape and efforts are ongoing to trace them.
Police recovered several items believed to have been used in the alleged illegal activities. The exhibits included new Airtel, MTN and Lyca SIM cards, fingerprint scanners, registration books for Airtel and MTN, and several National Identification Cards.
Police said preliminary findings show that some of the recovered identification documents were allegedly used to register multiple SIM cards belonging to different individuals.
The authorities have since contacted the respective telecommunications companies to provide more information about the recovered SIM cards and establish how they were registered.
Police have also written to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to obtain details of the registered owners of the recovered National Identification Cards.
Investigators are also working with Airtel and MTN to establish whether the suspects were authorised agents of the companies or whether they were operating illegally.
The arrested suspects are currently helping police with investigations as authorities continue gathering evidence and identifying other people who may have participated in the alleged scheme.
Police said the misuse of identification documents and unauthorised SIM card registration can create serious security risks, including fraud, impersonation and other criminal activities.
Authorities have urged members of the public to be cautious when sharing their National Identification Cards or personal information, especially during SIM card registration processes.
Police further encouraged anyone who suspects that their identification documents have been misused to report the matter to the nearest police station for investigation.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police North leadership said the operation demonstrates their continued efforts to fight emerging forms of cyber-related crimes and protect the public from identity theft.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of Kampala Metropolitan Police, said investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
He added that more details will be released once police complete further inquiries and establish the full extent of the alleged activities.
Police are also expected to continue monitoring SIM card registration points across Kampala to ensure that mobile service providers and agents follow the required registration procedures.
The three suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue, while officers intensify efforts to arrest other individuals believed to be involved in the alleged illegal SIM card registration network.
