By George Bukenya
A notorious motor vehicle number plate thief Joshua Ainembabazi a 22-year-old resident of Bukerere Village, Mukono Town Council, Mukono District has been arrested and detained at Kajjansi police station.
It is alleged that between the nights of 20th and 24th January 2026, the suspect stole 14 vehicle number plates from vehicles parked in Akright City, Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District.
The suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted on 25th January 2026 in Sonde, Mukono District.
According to the deputy Kampala Metropolitan spokes person Rachel Kawala, preliminary findings indicate that after removing the number plates, the suspect would demand money ranging between UGX 100,000 and 200,000 from the victims before disclosing where the stolen number plates were hidden.
Some of the stolen number plates have since been recovered, and operations to recover the remaining ones are still ongoing.
Police appeal to the public to desist from giving money to such criminal elements and to always report such incidents to the police for proper management.