By KT Reporter
Two illegal guns were recovered in separate operations within Arua city in the last three weeks as security agencies intensify the crackdown on armed criminality.
The latest incident occurred on Friday, November 21, 2025, when police, together with Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) officers, arrested Patrick Atabua, a boda boda rider and resident of Maracha Cell in Yapi Ward, Ayivu East Division, Arua city, with an illegal gun at Odramacaku Trading Centre, near the Uganda-DR Congo border.
Josephine Angucia, the Police Public Relations Officer for the West Nile region, in a statement, said that the arrest of the suspect followed an Intelligence report that revealed that the suspect, who is part of a group, was planning to rob a truck delivering beer to Odramacaku Trading Centre, prompting the joint officers to intervene.
“Information was received that the said robbers were planning to rob a truck that was delivering beer to Odramacaku Trading Centre. A team of police officers and UPDF responded to the scene and were able to intercept the suspect before he could execute his mission,” Angucia said.
According to Angucia, the suspect was found with an AK-47 rifle with 50 rounds of live ammunition with registration number 052956-2956. She further noted that the suspect, together with his TVS Star motorcycle with registration number UGC 172T, which he used for allegedly transporting the illegal gun, was impounded and is currently detained at Arua Central Police Station.
“A case file of illegal possession of firearms was opened, and investigations commenced under Arua CPS CRB 832/2025. We urge those still holding guns illegally for criminal activities to desist from their unlawful acts and hand over such guns to security teams, or else the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” she noted.
The latest incident comes just three weeks after another suspect, Benson Asiimwe, was arrested with an AK-47 rifle, number A83110111, with two magazines. The suspect was intercepted on November 2, 2025, at around 7:45 p.m. as he attempted to board a motor vehicle to Kampala at Nsambya Shell Petrol Station, Arua–Pakwach in Arua City Central Division.
In a recent interview with URN, Lt. Nasser Mene, the UPDF spokesperson for the West Nile region, confirmed that the cases of illegal firearms are common within the City, especially in areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. He instead called for vigilance among the city dwellers.
“Everybody should remain vigilant. Any visitor, any tenant you are about to rent a house to, you should know the details from the Giso, LCs, and what he or she does,” Mene noted.
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