Security agencies have intensified efforts to combat rising crime and drug abuse across the Kampala Metropolitan Area through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations conducted in Kira Division, Central Kampala, and Mukono District.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the operations were carried out between 11th and 12th June 2025 by joint teams comprising the Uganda Police Force, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and Crime Intelligence Units. The efforts also involved close collaboration with local leaders and community members.
In Kira Division, particularly in the suburbs of Najjera, Bulindo, and Shimon, law enforcement teams on 11th June arrested 30 suspects during a targeted crackdown on criminal elements associated with opium and marijuana abuse. The suspects were apprehended from known ghettos and black spots that have been linked to simple robberies and house break-ins. Police confirmed the recovery of narcotic substances, especially opium, during the operation. All suspects are currently held at Kira Police Station pending further screening and possible prosecution.
A simultaneous night operation in Central Kampala on the same day led to the arrest of 60 adult male suspects. The sweep, which covered areas around William Street, Wilson Road, Top Pub, Nakasero, Old Taxi Park, Cooper Complex, and Shoprite, targeted hotspots reportedly associated with drug use and street crime. Police said the suspects were found loitering, using narcotics, and engaging in acts such as phone and bag snatching. They are currently detained at Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala.
On the morning of 12th June, a similar operation was executed in Kiwala Village, Nama Sub-County in Mukono District. Nine suspects were arrested from alleged criminal hideouts during a raid led by the Mukono Police Division. Police recovered opium from the suspects, who are believed to be behind a string of robbery cases in the area. They are currently detained at Mukono Police Station and await court proceedings.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to restoring law and order in urban centers.
“We remain committed to ridding our communities of criminal elements through sustained intelligence-led and community-supported operations. We urge the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest police post,” he stated.