Police Recovers 31 Stolen Vehicle Number Plates

At least 31 motor vehicle number plates have been recovered in various parts of Kampala after the arrest of a suspected serial thief. 

The Directorate of Crime Intelligence (DCI) working with police in Kajjansi arrested Brian Mumbere following several complaints from drivers and car owners. 

Mumbere led police to areas of Zana, Bunamwaya, and Ngobe, where he had been hiding the vehicle number plates as he waited for owners to pay at least 100,000 shillings to regain them.

Police’s overt and covert team first recovered 16 number plates hidden by the suspect in Zana, Bunamwaya and Ngobe. “I had hidden these plates to extort money from the victims. I steal the number plates and later on call the owners to send me money to regain them. For those who delay, I hide them forever,” Mumbere said.

It was later discovered that complaints had been registered not only at Kajjansi police station but also at Katwe and Nateete. Police decided to interrogate him more and he agreed to lead them to other places where more than 15 number plates were covered.

Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson said Mumbere had number plates hidden in various areas within and outside Kajjansi Division. The other areas included Kisugula and Katale.

“Consequently, a joint operation was conducted by officers from Kajjansi and Nateete Division, leading to the recovery of an additional 15 number plates hidden in areas such as Kisigula, Katale, Bunamwaya, and Ngobe,” Onyango said.

Mumbere said he had stolen all the number plates in December 2024 to earn himself money for Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.

“In total, the suspect is believed to have stolen over 30 number plates within a single month. The recovery of these plates is a significant step in addressing the issue of number plate theft, which can have serious consequences, including identity theft and misuse,” Onyango said.

Although 31 number plates have been recovered, several of the victims of Mumbere’s acts had already paid via mobile money to recover their motor vehicle number plates.