Car Theft Operation Nets Three in Kampala

In a successful police operation on July 4, 2023, at 1600 hours, several suspected stolen vehicles were recovered, and three suspects were apprehended at Old Kampala. Acting on reliable intelligence, law enforcement authorities carried out a targeted mission in the Kayanja triangle area, with a specific focus on Luwangula Auto Garage, a notorious establishment known for its involvement in altering car serial numbers, engine numbers, and colors.

Luwaga Lorence, a 32-year-old resident of Nansana and the owner of the garage, was found to be in possession of more than fifteen cars, with four of them lacking authentic documents. The garage, situated near Monalisa Bar in Rubaga Division, Kampala District, raised further suspicion.

Investigations uncovered that the suspected vehicles, including a Nissan Patrol, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Harrier, had undergone various modifications, such as altered colors, serial numbers, and engine numbers. Additionally, all the cars were displaying Congo number plates, which contradicted the information on their official documents. The mechanic working at Luwangula Auto Garage had altered the original white color of the seized cars to various other colors. Consequently, all vehicles, along with their corresponding documents, were seized and towed to Old Kampala Police Station for thorough examination.

Presently, three suspects are in custody as part of the ongoing investigation. The primary suspect is Luwaga Lorence, a 32-year-old male adult, who was in possession of the vehicles. The other two suspects are Nauru Sadi, a 45-year-old Congolese national and mandated refugee residing in Kabowa, Rubaga South Division, and Kasereka Patrick, a 38-year-old Congolese national, an asylum seeker, and a resident of Rubaga South, who has been in Uganda for less than two months. The authorities are continuing their inquiries into the matter.