The Police in Arua city’s central business district have conducted joint operations with community leaders and boda boda riders to crack down on suspected hardcore criminals.

The intelligence-led operation conducted on April 16, 2024, had 20 suspected criminals arrested, while others who were injured are receiving treatment at Arua Regional Referral Hospital.

According to West Nile Police region spokesperson Josephine Angucia, several operations have been carried out in the past, and suspects charged with lighter offences served their sentences for a few months but once released, they continued with criminal practices.

As a result of the trend, the boda boda riders under their leadership took the initiative to join the Police in identifying and arresting the suspected criminals in the city.

Angucia said all suspects were charged with the offence of aggravated robbery, being in possession of dangerous weapons, and possessing suspected stolen motorcycles.

Among the suspects arrested include; Rashid Kawawa,Ashad Shafiq, Ahmed Oguna, Gadaffi Rashid, Bakhit Abbas, Kuno Tom Rajab Rasul, Peter Munguci, Issa Mambo, Abdu Wahab, Rashid Andama, Farid Hassan, Bashir Rajab Kambale Fisto, Ratib Bashir, and Mujahid Ratib among others.

According to the Police’s Annual Crime Report 2023, Arua ranks among the districts with the highest number of motorcycle thefts in Uganda.