Security agencies launched a joint pre-dawn operation in Busika Town Council, Luweero District, arresting 66 suspected criminals in an effort to curb escalating crime in the region.
The coordinated sweep, which ran from midnight until 5am on Monday, targeted the villages of Kalibongo, Vumba, and Kibanyi. Security forces detained 56 men and 10 women during the raid.
According to police authorities, the operation was informed by intelligence reports and community tip-offs identifying the three villages as gathering spots for criminal networks. Suspects allegedly used the locations to trade illicit drugs, including marijuana and opium, and to plan burglaries and thefts before executing them across the district.
The operation was executed by a joint force comprising the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Force, and the Internal Security Organisation, working alongside local residents.
Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima confirmed that security teams are currently screening the detainees to establish direct links to specific offences. He noted that individuals found culpable will be formally charged and presented in court.
“Further inquiries are still ongoing, and we are stepping up our operations to ensure that residents are safe and criminal activities are brought under control,” Twiineamazima said.
He added that similar operations will be rolled out across Luweero District to maintain law and order ahead of the festive season, a period traditionally associated with a rise in property crimes. Twiineamazima also commended the participating security personnel and local residents, citing Article 17(f) of the Constitution, which mandates citizens to cooperate with law enforcement officers.
“We appreciate the community for fulfilling their constitutional obligation to assist security agencies in maintaining law and order,” Twiineamazima added.
The targeted operation follows data from the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, which highlighted Luweero District as a major crime hotspot. While national crime figures dropped by 10.2 percent-from 218,715 reported cases in 2024 to 196,405 in 2025-Luweero registered the highest number of reported crimes nationwide, totaling 3,123 cases. More than 1,000 of those incidents involved theft. Katwe Police Division followed with 2,997 cases, while Kawempe recorded 2,967.
The crime statistics also highlighted severe public safety challenges in the district beyond property theft. Luweero District and Mukono Division tied for the highest number of aggravated defilement cases nationwide, each recording 72 incidents in 2025.
During a regional strategy review meeting held in April at Timunah Schools in Luweero, commanders from the Savannah Region-which covers Luweero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola districts-acknowledged that Luweero led the region in house break-ins, land disputes, and aggravated defilement. Security leadership subsequently resolved to step up intelligence-driven raids and strengthen community policing partnerships.
“Our region must double its efforts to ensure that our communities are safe for everyone,” Twiineamazima stated during the April security review.
The drug trade elements uncovered during the Busika operation reflect broader national trends. Police registered 1,569 narcotics and psychotropic substance cases nationwide in 2025, representing a 30 percent decline from 2,240 cases in 2024, though law enforcement officials continue to warn against drug abuse and distribution networks.
The Busika arrests mark the first major security crackdown in the district following the commitments made by regional commanders earlier this year. The outcome of the screening process and subsequent court prosecutions will serve as a key test of the effectiveness of the intelligence-led strategy.