Popular content creator and influencer Baba Talisha, real name Faustine Lipuku Lukale, has shared a dramatic update after losing two of his phones during a recent event, revealing how one device traveled all the way from Nairobi to Kampala within days.
What began as a fun night at the Mataha Festival on Saturday, November 8, quickly turned into a nightmare for Baba Talisha after he lost an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a Samsung S25 Ultra, both containing crucial work projects for his clients. In response, he offered a KSh 50,000 reward for any information that could help recover the devices.
Tracking a Phone Across Borders
In an unexpected twist, Baba Talisha successfully traced his iPhone to Uganda. The phone’s journey began in Ngong Town on Monday, November 10, where someone had signed him out of his accounts. Despite this, he was still able to monitor the device’s location as it moved to Kisumu and ultimately crossed into Kampala. “I tried calling the relevant authorities to intervene, but I was disappointed, especially after providing the exact location coordinates in Ngong,” he said.
Exposing a Theft Syndicate
Beyond tracking his own phone, Baba Talisha exposed what he suspects is an organized phone theft syndicate operating during crowded events. He shared CCTV footage of the incident and WhatsApp conversations with another victim who had lost a device in a similar manner. These revelations suggest a recurring pattern of phone theft at public gatherings, often with stolen phones eventually leaving the country.
Resilience and Recovery
Despite the setback, Baba Talisha has already replaced his lost devices with a new iPhone 17 Pro Max and is in the process of redoing the projects that were on the stolen phones. He shared his story not only as a personal update but also as a warning to others to stay vigilant at crowded events. “This is how my phones traveled across borders. Everything that happens always has a reason, but the setback is significant and devastating,” he wrote.
Public Response and Awareness
Netizens responded to Baba Talisha’s experience with empathy and advice. Some urged him to use the phone’s serial numbers to alert Apple, which could disable the devices, while others commended his resilience, noting that his creativity and livelihood remain intact despite the theft. Many also highlighted the prevalence of stolen-phone syndicates targeting events and selling devices across borders, echoing Baba Talisha’s warning.
This incident underscores the growing need for awareness about phone security at public gatherings and the lengths some thieves will go to profit from stolen devices. Baba Talisha’s transparency and proactive tracking serve as a cautionary tale for event-goers and tech users alike.
