Police probe attack on vehicle during NUP rally, 10 suspects arrested

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The Police say they are investigating a case of malicious damage to property and robbery following an attack on a Police vehicle allegedly by supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during a presidential campaign rally in Bar sub-county, Lira district.

According to Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga region Police spokesperson, the incident occurred on October 28, 2025, at about 1:00pm on the Lira–Alebtong highway, near Obot Primary School in Obot A Village, Bar sub-county.

Okema said the affected vehicle, a Police motor vehicle registration number UP 4816, was operating under a cover registration number UBK 380Q and was being used for surveillance duties by Julius Isabirye, an officer attached to the Criminal Investigations Directorate headquarters.

“While on duty together with his driver, Sgt. Peter Muhungo, the officers were attacked by a group of NUP foot soldiers led by one Geoffrey Unzima alias Tawa and another unidentified individual,” Okema said.

He explained that the attackers, travelling in a motor vehicle registration UAN 925Q and a greenish drone registration number UA 933AU, allegedly blocked the Police vehicle before stabbing all four tyres with sharp metallic objects, grabbing the car key chip sensor, and robbing the officers of a Dell laptop worth shillings 1.5 million, two 20-litre jerricans of diesel, and a bag of clothes.

Preliminary findings indicate that the group suspected the vehicle to be carrying a signal jammer interfering with their online communication systems, according to Okema.

The same vehicle had reportedly been seen following the campaign trail across Manafwa, Namisindwa, Tororo, Busia, Apac, Kwania, Kole, Lira Rural, and Lira City, before heading toward Alebtong district.

“As a result of the attack, the Police vehicle was rendered immobile due to the punctured tyres and loss of the key sensor, which will require replacement and reprogramming estimated at about shillings 700,000,” Okema noted.

He added that a case of malicious damage and robbery has been registered at the Bar sub-county Police.

“The scene of the crime was visited by the OC Station and OC CID Bar sub-county. Statements have been recorded from the complainant and his driver, and ten suspects who were travelling in the greenish drone have been arrested to aid investigations,” Okema confirmed.

He said the Police are still hunting for the key suspects, Unzima and his unidentified colleague, who remain at large. The impounded vehicle is currently being held as part of the ongoing inquiry.

“We have also informed local NUP coordinators, Moses Mawa and Moses Kanabi, about the incident, and our efforts are focused on recovering the stolen items and apprehending all those involved,” Okema added.