Police Bust Motorcycle Theft Network, Arrest Four and Recover Suspected Stolen Bikes

Police in Kampala have arrested four suspects and recovered several motorcycles believed to have been stolen in different parts of the country following intelligence-led operations targeting motorcycle theft and the illegal disposal of stolen motorcycles.The operation was carried out by Kampala Metropolitan Police South through Katwe Police Division after police received information about a suspected stolen Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UMA 2244MX. The motorcycle was recovered from Banturaki Purtaz, a resident of Wankulukuku Zone in Kabowa Parish, Rubaga Division.During interrogation, Banturaki reportedly told police that he had previously stolen two other motorcycles. One of them, a Bajaj Boxer registration number UFH 005Y, was allegedly stolen from Nkumba and later sold to two suspects, Lukyamuzi Muminu and Abasi Mwesezi, in Rakai District.The second motorcycle, another Bajaj Boxer with registration number UEQ, was allegedly stolen from Kigungu in Entebbe and sold to a suspect identified as Mike in Wansaso Zone.Acting on the information obtained during the investigations, police conducted another operation in Wansaso Zone. The officers recovered the UEQ motorcycle, although its number plate had already been removed. Two suspects, Senyange Derric and Kagwa Ian, were arrested on allegations of receiving the suspected stolen motorcycle and taking it to the person believed to be its promoter.The investigations were later extended to Rakai District. On September 2, 2026, a team of Crime Intelligence officers travelled to the district and arrested Lukyamuzi Muminu. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted that he had bought the UFH 005Y motorcycle for UGX 500,000.Police said Lukyamuzi further revealed that he and his alleged accomplice, Abasi Mwesezi, dismantled the motorcycle and sold it in separate parts as spare parts. Officers later recovered the motorcycle’s number plate, UFH 005Y, which had reportedly been hidden at the suspect’s ancestral home.Police also recovered another Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UDM 669Z, during the operation.The arrests and recoveries are part of ongoing efforts by police to disrupt motorcycle theft and prevent stolen motorcycles from being dismantled and sold as spare parts. Police believe that more people could be connected to the network and are continuing investigations to identify and arrest those still at large.According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, investigations are also aimed at recovering more suspected stolen motorcycles and establishing the wider network involved in stealing, receiving, dismantling and disposing of the motorcycles.Police have urged members of the public with information about stolen motorcycles or people involved in motorcycle theft to share it with law enforcement authorities to help bring the suspects to justice