By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
KAMPALA
Kampala Metropolitan Police North, has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged unauthorized registration and sale of Airtel, MTN and Lyca SIM cards, as well as the possession and suspected misuse of National Identification Cards, passport copies and fingerprint scanners.
The incident was reported at Old Kampala Police Station.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire Deputy Public Relations Officer Kampala Metropolitan Police said that on 5th August 2026 at a joint team of officers from Central Police Station Kampala Crime and Old Kampala Police Division proceeded to New Park Wholesale Building in Central Division, Kampala District, following information regarding suspected illegal activities involving SIM card registration and duplication of identification documents.
The operation followed information received in late July 2026 regarding allegations that some tenants were duplicating mobile phone lines using different National Identification Cards obtained from customers. The individuals were also suspected of duplicating passport documents and using them to register new SIM cards for different individuals, as well as selling and registering Airtel, MTN and other network SIM cards without the required authorization.
During the operation carried out today, Tuesday, 11th August, 2026, police searched three shops and arrested three suspects. Other suspects connected to the alleged activities are still at large.
A number of exhibits were recovered and documented, including new Airtel, MTN and Lyca SIM cards, fingerprint scanners, registration books for Airtel and MTN, and several National Identification Cards.
“Police have since written to the respective telecommunications companies to obtain information relating to the recovered SIM cards. Preliminary findings indicate that some of the recovered identification documents were allegedly used to register multiple SIM cards for different individuals”. Said ASP Owoyesigyire
Police have also written to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to obtain the full particulars of the registered owners of the recovered National Identification Cards. In addition, inquiries are being conducted with Airtel and MTN to establish whether the suspects were authorized agents of the respective companies.
The three suspects are currently assisting police with investigations, while efforts are ongoing to trace other persons believed to be involved in the alleged activities.
