Police in Kajansi have arrested a 22-year-old man over allegations of stealing vehicle number plates and extorting money from motorists in Wakiso District.
The suspect, identified as Joshua Ainembabazi, a resident of Bukerere Village in Mukono Town Council, was picked up during an intelligence-led operation conducted on January 25, 2026, in Sonde, Mukono District.
According to police, Ainembabazi is accused of stealing at least 14 vehicle number plates from cars parked in Akright City, Kajansi Town Council, between the nights of January 20 and 24, 2026.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala said the suspect would later contact the victims and demand money before revealing where the stolen plates had been hidden.
“Preliminary findings indicate that after removing the number plates, the suspect would demand between Shs100,000 and Shs200,000 from the victims before disclosing where the stolen number plates were,” Kawala said.
She added that some of the stolen number plates have already been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to trace and retrieve the rest.
Kawala warned members of the public against paying money to criminals, noting that such actions only encourage further crimes.
“We appeal to the public to desist from giving money to such criminal elements and instead report these incidents to police for proper management,” she said.
Police say investigations are still ongoing and the suspect will be charged in court once inquiries are complete.