Police net suspects linked to Arua–Nebbi road robberies

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Police in Arua district have arrested suspected serial robbers accused of terrorising night travellers along a stretch of the Arua–Nebbi Road.

During an operation carried out on the night of August 7, 2025, which covered the area from Kamukamu near Kuluva through the Enzeva Forest Reserve, several stolen items were recovered. These included military garments belonging to the UPDF, uniforms, a pair of boots and a combat bag.

Items displayed before journalists at the district police headquarters also included knives, bows and arrows, hammers, and a pair of pliers. Other recovered property comprised six mattresses, a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number UFY 034V, and modern energy-saving stoves.

Disco equipment such as floodlights, speakers, and a dozen T-shirts branded “Sniper Dancers” and labelled with an image of a sniper gun were also seized. Police said these items were recovered from various locations where the suspects had been hiding.

However, officers declined to speak on record about the operation and its results, saying it could jeopardise ongoing investigations. One suspect managed to escape, and further arrests are expected.

Arua RDC Toko Swaib, who chairs the district security committee, said the operation stemmed from previous district security meetings. He attributed its success largely to the new state-of-the-art police patrol vehicle recently procured for Arua district.



RDC Toko also praised the community for its cooperation, which helped in the arrest of the suspects. Many of the recovered items are suspected to have been stolen at night from moving trucks in the area.

The stretch of the Arua–Nebbi road has long been a black spot where drivers of transit goods trailers have lost property to night robbers. These gangs target vehicles as they ascend slowly through the steep, potholed section of the road. Typically, some members climb into the luggage carrier and throw goods down to accomplices following behind, who collect the stolen items and hide them in nearby bushes.

RDC Toko commended the communities along the road from Kuluva to Arivu trading centre for working with their local leaders and security personnel.