Police in Kajansi have arrested a 22-year-old man accused of stealing motor vehicle number plates and demanding money from car owners in exchange for their return. The suspect, identified as Ainembabazi Joshua, is a resident of Bukerere Village in Mukono Town Council, Mukono District.
According to police reports, the thefts happened between the nights of January 20 and January 24, 2026. During this period, 14 vehicle number plates were removed from cars parked in Akright City, located in Kajansi Town Council, Wakiso District. The incidents left many vehicle owners stranded and worried, as driving without number plates is illegal and can lead to trouble with traffic authorities.
Police say the suspect was operating a scheme where he would first remove the number plates and then contact the vehicle owners to demand money. He reportedly asked for payments ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 Uganda shillings before revealing where the stolen plates had been hidden. This act turned the theft into a form of extortion, causing both financial loss and stress to the victims.
The breakthrough came on January 25, 2026, when security officers carried out an intelligence-led operation in Sonde, Mukono District. The suspect was arrested, and some of the stolen number plates have already been recovered. Police say efforts are still ongoing to track down and recover the remaining plates.
Authorities have strongly warned the public against giving money to criminals in such situations. They are advising all victims of number plate theft to report immediately to the police so that proper investigations can be carried out. Police believe that public cooperation is key to stopping such crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
