126 Arrested as Police Crackdown on Clock Tower Thugs

By Skika Reporter

Police on Tuesday evening launched a major operation targeting suspected juvenile criminals hiding in drainage channels along Queens Way road junction near Clock Tower, firing bullets to flush out the group and dismantle their makeshift shelters.

The operation, conducted with support from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement officers and other security agencies, followed rising public complaints about increasing crime in the area.

The suspects have been targeting pedestrians, snatching phones and bags, especially in the evening hours. During the day, they retreat into these drainage channels and hideouts,” said Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachael Kawala.

Authorities recovered household items, condoms, suspected narcotic substances, and sharp objects including knives, pangas, and scissors from the hideouts.

The shelters, some made of wood and others converted from containers, served as both hideouts and living spaces. Walls bore threatening inscriptions, while hanging clothes and cooking setups suggested long-term habitation. The suspects were also operating small businesses, including a mobile money outlet, a chapati-making setup, and a small restaurant.

One suspect told police:  “We usually work at night, collecting garbage and doing other odd jobs.”

At least 18 suspects were arrested during Tuesday’s operation, adding to 108 others apprehended during an Easter Monday crackdown, bringing the total to 126. “Most of those apprehended are between 12 and 13 years old, with the oldest being about 25. This is worrying because it points to a growing involvement of minors in urban crime,” Kawala said.

Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be screened before appropriate legal action is taken.

Residents and commuters in the Clock Tower area have long raised concerns over insecurity, urging sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the city’s hidden spaces.

According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report, theft remained the most reported offense, with 26,510 cases compared to 28,358 in 2024.