The Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima told NTV that the statistics of car theft between August and November 2017 were alarming. “A total of 136 cases in Kampala Metropolitan were reported of motor vehicles stolen. Out of those, 36 were recovered.” Some of the recovered vehicles that were yet to be identified by the owners were kept at the Central Police Station in Kampala. “But all this is an indication that probably somebody does not track where their vehicles are.” The Police urged motor vehicle owners to take precaution to protect their cars from theft.

“We want to have the right documents, immediately your vehicle is stolen, report to the Police. You have your ID, you have the logbook for your vehicle. Those that don’t have these miss the point, they delay. When you delay some of these vehicles that are driven across borders we have crossed.” Busia District Police Commander Ezra Tugume said the Busia border had become a key transit route for stolen vehicles from Uganda and Kenya. “We keep on monitoring those borders and put on surveillance all the time but does not really stop anyone to get a porous border; a point where we have left and cross.” A Toyota car believed to have been stolen from Makindye in Kampala was recovered in Eldoret 200 km from the Uganda – Kenya border. While another car stolen from Ugunja in Kenya was recovered from Uganda. “At a place called Peruka opposite Shell petrol station in Makindye and after about an hour when we came out with a friend of mine we fund the car missing so we reported straight away to the Police.” Said, Christopher Pumpende – Victim of car theft. “I normally have two cars, so when I opened the door I only saw one car KBQ 831Y and it has been changed to UAU.” Said, Eunice Odadi – Kenya National.

The Police Flying Squad in collaboration with Kenyan Police was working to fight the vice. Meanwhile, the Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson warned motorists against using the Entebbe Express Highway which was not yet officially open. “There are young men who have made it a habit actually a business to open and close that road as and when they feel right. And when the motorists easily use it to avoid traffic jam but they don’t know what they are falling into.” He said the crackdown against the illegal use of the road was ongoing. “We are going to have a chat with UNRA and the Contractor and to agree on the best way to handle this but on our side, we are starting tonight.”