The increase in theft of old model cars in Uganda has been attributed to demand in Kenya for spare parts of vehicles manufactured before 2011.

According to the directorates of criminal investigations and crime intelligence, the surge in theft of old model cars around April this year follows Kenya’s ban on importation of cars that were manufactured before 2011.

Mr Vincent Ssekate, the spokesperson of the two directorates, said the most of the stolen cars are dismantled and parts are taken to Kenya where they are assembled.

“There is an ongoing crackdown of criminals who steal older cars and sell them to their accomplices in Kenya. We have also set up a team to ensure that all the routes are monitored,” Mr Ssekate said yesterday.

Police, however, could not give figures of vehicles they suspect to have been stolen in Uganda and sold in Kenya, but they said after interrogating several suspects, they found out that the stolen were sold in Kenya.

They also said most of the recent recoveries of stolen vehicles are made on the eastern side of Uganda.

Until recently, most vehicles stolen in Uganda have been sold in DR Congo and South Sudan.

Police efforts against car thefts have been focused on routes on the western side of Uganda.

Policy

Uganda allows importation of vehicles that were manufactured in 2004 and above yet Kenya allows importation of vehicles made in 2011 and above.

However, Kenya still has many vehicles that are older than 2011 which need spare parts that are becoming difficult to get on Kenyan market.

Mr Ssekate said more than 40 cars have been recovered by police in less than two months and they have arrested more than 30 suspects.

He said they would revamp their cooperation with their Kenyan counterparts through the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation to curb the theft.

Stolen vehicles. Estimated number of cars stolen in Uganda last year with Kampala Metropolitan Police South areas being the most affected with 354 cases followed by Kampala Metropolitan Police North with 248 incidents. Recovered vehicles are less than 30 per cent of those stolen.