Security agencies in Lamwo District have recovered four illegal firearms and nine stolen motorcycles and arrested 29 suspects, including three South Sudanese nationals, during a two-week crackdown on cross-border criminal networks. Lamwo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) William Komakech said the recoveries were part of ongoing efforts to curb armed robberies and the illegal flow of firearms into northern Uganda.
According to Komakech, the four firearms were recovered from Anaka in Palabek Gem, Ayualali in Palabek Sub-county, and Paluda in Palabek Ogili sub-county. He said the weapons were believed to have been used in criminal activities across Kitgum, Lira and parts of Lamwo districts.
“In a period of two weeks, we were able to recover four guns and nine motorcycles. The guns were mainly being used in Kitgum, Lira and partly Lamwo,” Komakech said. The recovered motorcycles had reportedly been stolen from Gulu City West Division, Lira District and Kitgum District. Of the nine motorcycles recovered, three were stolen from Kitgum.
Komakech attributed the progress to increased deployment of police officers and intelligence personnel, saying the reinforcement had significantly strengthened security operations in the district. “The coming in of police officers has boosted us, and I think we shall go a long way to make sure Lamwo is stable and peaceful,” he said.
Security agencies have arrested and charged 29 suspects in connection with the operations, including three South Sudanese nationals accused of collaborating with Ugandan criminal gangs. According to Komakech, preliminary investigations indicate that the South Sudanese suspects supplied firearms while their Ugandan counterparts identified targets for robbery.
“We have arrested and charged 29 suspects, including three South Sudanese who were collaborating with Ugandans,” he said. The crackdown follows a fatal armed robbery in which 45-year-old Solomon Ochen of Padolo Parish in Padibe Sub-county was shot dead after resisting motorcycle thieves.
Komakech said Ochen was attacked by armed assailants who stole his motorcycle, registration number UEB 990P, at gunpoint before shooting him dead. “We managed to apprehend some suspects connected to the shooting, and investigations are ongoing. We believe we shall get to the bottom of it,” he said.
Security officials say the arrests have revealed a wider criminal network operating across Lamwo, Kitgum and Gulu districts. To prevent further infiltration of illegal firearms, Komakech said security agencies have intensified surveillance and increased deployments along the Uganda–South Sudan border.
However, he acknowledged that policing the border remains a major challenge due to its length and the numerous illegal crossing points.
Lamwo shares approximately 184 kilometres of border with South Sudan and has only four officially gazetted border crossing points: Waligo, Ngomoromo, Aweno-Olwiyo and Musingo.
Beyond the official crossings, Komakech estimated there are more than 200 illegal routes used by communities for farming, trade and family interactions, making effective border control difficult.
“We have deployed enough intelligence and security personnel, but civilians also have a role to play. Sometimes firearms are concealed in ways that are difficult to detect, including being hidden behind women carrying children. It is not easy, but we are managing.” He urged residents to continue sharing information with security agencies to help dismantle criminal networks operating across the border-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
