UPDF soldier survives deadly highway robbers' ambush

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A Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier narrowly escaped death after being ambushed and brutally attacked by suspected robbers along the Soroti–Lira Highway in the early morning hours of Monday.

In an incident that highlights the growing threat of motorcycle-related crime across the Lango sub-region, police said Private Tom Okello, who is attached to Moyo Army Barracks and a resident of Akitenino B Village in Adyel Ward, Lira City East Division, was reportedly riding home on his red TVS motorcycle when he was waylaid.

According to North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema, officers attached to Lira City East Division are investigating a case of suspected aggravated robbery involving a motorcycle that occurred at around 2:00am on June 1, 2026, at Gwengabara Cell along the Soroti–Lira Highway.

Police said upon reaching Gwengabara Cell, Okello encountered two unidentified men who had allegedly erected barriers across the road. The suspects reportedly stopped him and struck him on the head with sticks before making off with his motorcycle, registration number UFH 438Z, valued at approximately sh6 million.

"The soldier was left bleeding and helpless at the scene before residents came to his rescue and rushed him to a nearby clinic for first aid treatment," Okema said.

Luckily, a police night patrol team operating in the area intercepted the men who were found pushing the stolen motorcycle at around 4:30am.

On spotting the police officers, the suspects abandoned the motorcycle and fled into the darkness. The motorcycle was recovered and taken to Angwetangweta Police Station as the hunt for the suspects goes on.

Detectives from Lira City East Division visited and documented both scenes connected to the incident, recorded statements from the victim and other witnesses, and issued Okello with a Police Form Three (PF3) for medical examination.

Investigators are now reviewing the Closed Circuit Television camera footage and tracing leads that could help identify and apprehend the suspects. Police have also asked the victim to provide ownership documents for the motorcycle.

Okema described the attack as unfortunate, noting that residents consider the area a notorious crime hotspot. He said the police patrol team had been deployed along the route as part of the preventive security strategy.

Local leaders warned that motorcycle thefts and robberies remain widespread across the Lango sub-region, with criminals often posing as passengers before attacking riders and stealing their motorcycles. In some cases, police said the victims are killed, while a few survive with serious injuries.