POLICE | THEFT | ROBBERY

ARUA - The Police in Arua district are holding four men for allegedly possessing stolen construction materials meant for Adroyi Bridge.

Adroyi Bridge in Joya village, Olupi parish in Arivu sub-county is under construction by MWL Company Ltd.

West Nile region Police spokesperson Josephine Angucia said site engineer Francis Semakula, Francis Abali, Francis Mwesigwa and Bonny Alupo all workers of MWL Company were allegedly found in the wee hours of Wednesday, November 23, 2022, in possession of over 150 iron bars parked in a Fuso truck.

The arrest followed a tipoff from residents after several occasions the workers have allegedly been seen ferrying building materials from the site.

Police impounded the Fuso truck registration number UBE 501Y which was allegedly ferrying the stolen iron bars.

Angucia said the suspects detained at Vurra Police Station have been charged with theft of building materials pending prosecution after investigations.

West Nile region Police spokesperson Josephine Angucia said site engineer Francis Semakula, Francis Abali, Francis Mwesigwa and Bonny Alupo all workers of MWL Company were found in the wee hours of Wednesday, November 23, 2022, in possession of over 150 iron bars parked in a Fuso truck. (All Photos by Robert Adiga)

She added that cases of people stealing construction materials from government projects are rampant yet residents do not usually inform the Police.

“We want to appreciate communities who are inquisitive of the surroundings. Don’t hesitate to inform the Police when you see something that is not going down well,” Angucia said.

The bridge expected to cost sh980m, whose work started on August 1, 2022, is constructed by the agriculture ministry and is expected to take six months.

Meanwhile, Arua Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ham Muzamil Ezama said they directed the contractor that before the work resumes, they should give an in-depth update on the status of the bridge from the district engineer and withdraw the soldiers deployed at the site for allowing illegalities to take place.

Ezama added that they want expeditious investigations into the matter and the file forwarded to the resident state attorney for possible prosecution if found guilty.