Police have intensified crackdowns on known crime hotspots across the capital city to curb a recent spike in urban crime.
As dusk falls over the hills of Kampala, the city’s vibrant energy is increasingly met with a resolute, blue-uniformed presence. In response to a noticeable spike in urban crime during the early months of 2026, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) has launched a massive, multi-divisional crackdown. From the crowded transport hubs of Katwe to the rapidly growing suburbs of Kira and Mukono, security agencies are executing a series of intelligence-led operations designed to dismantle criminal gangs and restore public safety.
The Anatomy of the Surge: Why Now?
The current offensive comes on the heels of mounting public anxiety. Throughout February and March 2026, residents across the Kampala Metropolitan Area reported an escalation in violent muggings, phone snatching, and coordinated attacks by motorcycle-riding gangs. Business owners in central commercial districts faced a rise in night-time break-ins, while pedestrians in poorly lit residential areas like Kireka and Nansana expressed fear of the notorious “bijambiya” (machete-wielding) gangs.
Security analysts attribute this surge to a combination of factors: rapid urbanization, high youth unemployment, and the emergence of “black spots”—unlit or neglected corridors where criminals can easily ambush victims and disappear into dense informal settlements. In response, the police have shifted from a reactive posture to a proactive, disruptive strategy.
A City-Wide Dragnet: Key Operation Zones
The scale of the recent operations is unprecedented. In a single week at the end of March, police netted over 100 suspects in coordinated raids. These operations have been surgically targeted at specific divisions within the metropolitan area:
- Kampala Metropolitan (KMP) East: Operations in Kira, Mukono, and Kamwokya have targeted narcotics dens and social disorder. In Kamwokya’s “Big Yard” and surrounding zones, security teams arrested dozens of suspects linked to petty theft and the distribution of illicit substances, which are often cited as catalysts for more violent crimes.
- KMP South: The Katwe and Kabalagala corridors have seen intense focus. Katwe, a known hotspot for motorcycle theft, saw the arrest of high-level suspects linked to organized “dismantling yards” where stolen bikes are quickly stripped for parts.
- KMP North: Divisions such as Old Kampala and Wakiso have conducted “night-owl” sweeps between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM, specifically targeting road junctions and dark alleys where pedestrians are frequently ambushed.
The “Bijambiya” and Narcotics Link
One of the most significant achievements of the April 2026 crackdown has been the disruption of the “bijambiya” gangs. According to ASP Nyaika, a senior police official, recent intelligence-led operations in Katwe led to the capture of ten key suspects linked to a string of machete attacks.
Crucially, these raids often uncover more than just weapons. Police have recovered substantial quantities of narcotics, including opium and marijuana, alongside housebreaking implements. “There is a direct correlation between substance abuse and the brazenness of these attacks,” noted a police spokesperson. “By clearing the narcotics hubs, we are effectively cutting off the fuel that drives these criminal activities.”
Technology and Intelligence-Led Deployment
Unlike the sweeping, indiscriminate arrests of the past, the 2026 operations are increasingly guided by technology and community intelligence. The UPF has leveraged:
- CCTV Integration: Surveillance teams at the National Command and Control Centre in Naguru are now playing a pivotal role in tracking the movement of criminal elements on motorcycles, allowing ground teams to intercept suspects in real-time.
- Community Tip-offs: The “Village Security Committees” and local LC1 chairpersons have been revitalized. In areas like Kito B Cell and Kireku, arrests were made specifically based on complaints from residents regarding noise pollution and suspicious gatherings in abandoned buildings.
- Forensic Induction: The recent launch of forensic induction course tools for officers has improved the collection of evidence at crime scenes, ensuring that arrested suspects are not just detained but successfully prosecuted.
The “Repeat Offender” Challenge
Despite the high volume of arrests—with over 3,100 suspects processed metropolitan-wide since the start of the year—the police face a persistent hurdle: the “revolving door” of the justice system. Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ocaya recently informed Parliament that a significant number of those arrested are repeat offenders who have previously served sentences or been released on bail.
This has prompted a call for closer coordination between the police and the judiciary. “The community keeps crying about crime, but sometimes the same faces return to the streets within weeks,” noted security officials. The current strategy aims to build stronger cases by linking suspects to multiple crimes through recovered exhibits like stolen phones and motorcycles.
Beyond Enforcement: Community Policing
Recognizing that arrests alone cannot solve the root causes of urban crime, the UPF has intensified its community sensitization efforts. Senior officers, including CP Muleterwa, have been leading crime prevention dialogues in schools and community centers in Mukono and Wakiso.
These sessions focus on:
- Vigilance: Encouraging residents to avoid using phones in “black spots” and to travel in groups during late hours.
- Environmental Design: Working with local authorities to improve street lighting and clear overgrown bushes that provide cover for criminals.
- Rehabilitation: Opening dialogues on how to engage urban youth in productive activities to prevent them from being recruited into gangs.
The Road Ahead
As of late April 2026, the intensified patrols show no sign of slowing down. While the general security situation is described by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as “calm and largely peaceful,” the persistence of these operations reflects a zero-tolerance policy toward the “petty” crimes that degrade the quality of life for Kampala’s residents.
The message to the criminal underworld is unequivocal: the capital’s streets are no longer a safe haven for lawlessness. For the residents of Kampala, the sight of increased nighttime patrols and the news of successful raids offer a glimmer of hope that the city can once again be enjoyed without the shadow of fear.
The success of this crackdown will ultimately be measured not just by the number of arrests, but by the long-term reduction in “crime rate per 100,000 persons”—a metric the police are determined to drive down as they continue to reclaim Kampala’s hotspots, one cell at a time.
