A new concern has emerged among Kenyan smartphone users after multiple creators reported that their stolen iPhones were being tracked to Uganda.
The latest to speak out is content creator Kabugi, who claimed his iPhone 15 Pro Max ended up across the border after it was stolen in Nairobi.
In an Instagram Story, Kabugi revealed that he too had traced his lost phone to Uganda, echoing similar experiences shared online.
“I lost my 15 Promax sometime back, same thing happened, nlioona sides za CUEA, next thing iko Uganda. It’s either taking them to Uganda is a new trend or they have a way of making it look that way,” he wrote.
He added that thieves seem to have developed ways of reactivating the devices rather than dismantling them for parts:
“Also trust me they have a way of getting them active, hawaendi kuuza sijui battery na body. It’s no coincidence that they are all going that way.”
Kabugi’s statement came shortly after another content creator, Baba Talisha, shared a nearly identical experience.
Baba Talisha’s Phones Stolen at Popular Festival
The incident comes after Baba Talisha attended the Mataha Festival, a popular weekend event. It was during the event that he was targeted by thieves who managed to steal both of his mobile phones.
The creator, known for his relatable skits and family-centered content, expressed his heartbreak online, posting simply:
“Weuh 😥… machozi tu.”
He explained that while the monetary loss was painful, it was the data and documents stored on the phones that hurt the most.
“It’s not about the phones. It’s about what was inside 😢😢,” he said.
“The work that was on those phones, I had some court documents on one phone that has a final judgment tomorrow.”
Using Apple’s Find My iPhone feature, Baba Talisha managed to trace one of the devices to Ngong Town, Kajiado County, where it stayed for about six hours. He immediately alerted authorities but was left disappointed by the lack of response.
“Anyway, I tried calling relevant authorities who were to help, but weuh… I got really disappointed,” he wrote.
Tracked Across the Border
Later that night, the device began moving again. Baba Talisha noticed it was heading towards Kisumu, making brief stops consistent with bus routes.
“In the night, around 11 p.m., when I checked, I realized the phone was on transit heading towards Kisumu. It was somewhere around Ahero. I immediately knew where it was being taken to — Uganda,” he said.
He theorized that the phones are being transported by long-distance buses, suggesting an organized network moving stolen electronics across borders.
Both Kabugi’s and Baba Talisha’s cases point to a rising trend of stolen iPhones being traced to Uganda, raising fears of a possible cross-border phone trafficking syndicate.
As more Kenyans share similar experiences online, users are being urged to enable tracking features, secure their devices, and promptly report thefts to the police and service providers
BY Judy mutinda
