Security agencies arrested 66 suspected criminals in a joint pre-dawn operation in Busika Town Council, Luweero District.[1] The sweep ran from midnight until 5am on Monday and targeted the villages of Kalibongo, Vumba and Kibanyi.[1] Security forces detained 56 men and 10 women during the raid.[1] Police are screening the detainees to establish direct links to specific offences, and say those found culpable will be formally charged and presented in court.[1]

According to police, the three villages were gathering spots for criminal networks whose members allegedly traded illicit drugs, including marijuana and opium, and planned burglaries and thefts.[1] Some of the suspects were found in possession of narcotic drugs.[1] 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.[1]

Police said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminals were using the areas as meeting points before spreading to other parts of the district to commit crimes.[2] Police said more security operations would be conducted across Luweero District to contain criminal activities ahead of the festive season.[2] The crackdown follows the 2025 police annual crime report in which Luweero registered the highest number of reported crimes nationwide.[1]