Ugandan police detained 34‑year‑old Congolese national Jean‑Claude Mbuyi on Tuesday in the Wakiso district on suspicion of leading a regional operation that traffics stolen mobile phones.
The operation, uncovered during a joint task force raid with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), allegedly moved more than 12,000 illicit devices from the Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda and onward to East African markets.
Mbuyi, who was found in possession of several unregistered smartphones and a ledger detailing sales to wholesale buyers in Kampala, denied the charges, claiming the phones were purchased legally.
Authorities seized the devices, valued at roughly UGX 150 million (US$40,000), and are now investigating links to organized crime groups operating across the Great Lakes region. The case highlights growing concerns about cross‑border electronic theft and its impact on local economies.