KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda Police has explained why recent phone theft recovery operations in Kampala have largely resulted in the recovery of iPhones, saying the trend reflects how criminal networks operate rather than a deliberate focus on one brand of device.
The explanation follows a series of intelligence-led raids targeting suspected phone theft networks in Kampala, where police have recovered hundreds of mobile phones believed to have been stolen from members of the public.
The most recent operations saw officers recover more than 120 iPhones during a raid in Katwe, shortly after another operation at Cooper Complex where several suspects were arrested and hundreds of suspected stolen phones recovered.
The pattern has raised questions among members of the public over why iPhones appear to dominate police recoveries while fewer Android devices are seen being returned.
However, police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma said the difference is linked to the structure of the criminal networks being targeted.
“Someone asked why in our phone theft operations we only seem to recover iPhones and hand them back to their owners. In targeted operations there are thugs whom you find concentrate on particular kinds of phones,” Kituuma said.
According to police, some criminal groups and traders operating in Kampala’s electronics markets have developed specialised networks focused on particular brands, especially iPhones.
“For instance, in some arcades there are fellows we landed on where they deal only in iPhones,” Kituuma said.
He explained that investigators are increasingly targeting not only street-level phone thieves but also the people who receive stolen devices, unlock them and prepare them for resale.
“Our operation has been smarter. This time we are targeting the experts in the arcades and shops where the stolen phones end up. We find that some of these experts deal only in iPhones. That is why in some operations we end up capturing only iPhones,” he said.
Police say the shift in strategy is aimed at dismantling the wider supply chain behind phone theft rather than focusing only on individuals who snatch devices from victims.
Why iPhones are easier to trace
Beyond criminal networks specialising in certain devices, police say iPhones also have security features that improve the chances of identifying their owners after recovery.
Kituuma said Apple’s security systems make it easier for investigators to reconnect recovered phones with their rightful owners compared with some Android devices.
“I should mention that iPhones have more advanced security features. It is easier to trace an iPhone owner compared to Androids, which are easily erased and reset,” he said.
The police spokesperson, however, rejected suggestions that Android users receive less attention during recovery operations.
He said officers recover all types of phones whenever they are found during investigations.
“What we shall do is to ensure that for every stolen phone we recover, we shall find the rightful owner,” Kituuma said.
He added that random arrests of suspected thieves continue to yield different types of devices.
“But also we pick up thieves randomly and we recover other kinds of phones, iPhones, Androids and even feature phones,” he said.
Targeting the stolen phone economy
The recent operations represent a broader police effort to disrupt Uganda’s underground mobile phone trade, where stolen devices often pass through multiple hands before being resold.
Investigators believe technicians who unlock devices, remove security protections and prepare them for resale play a critical role in sustaining phone theft networks.
Also Read: Why are iPhones more expensive than Android phones?
By focusing on traders and specialists operating in electronics markets, police say they hope to address the demand side of the crime rather than only responding after thefts occur.
The operations in Cooper Complex and Katwe are part of wider efforts to recover stolen property and prosecute individuals involved in organised theft networks.
Public urged to record phone details
Police have advised members of the public to take preventive measures that can improve recovery efforts after theft.
Authorities are encouraging phone users to keep records of their device identification details, especially the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which helps investigators identify specific devices.
Police also urged victims to report theft cases promptly to increase the chances of recovery and support investigations.
As Kampala continues to experience challenges linked to street crime and organised theft, police say dismantling the networks behind stolen phone markets remains a key priority.
