Seven suspects, including an LC1 chairperson and executive members of two cells in Arua City, have been arrested in connection with the robbery of Shs69 million belonging to an Indian businessman. The suspects were arrested on Sunday after one of the suspects, arrested a day earlier, reportedly led police to the others following a review of CCTV footage from the scene of the robbery.
The suspects are Saidi Kapere, the LC1 chairperson of Lumumba Cell in Arua Central Division; Muzaidi Amba, Mohamed Ali, Rashid Igga, Juma Farouk, Ramathan Kamil and Ashraf Agy. Police said the suspects are LC executive members from Lumumba and Adriko cells. They are currently detained at Arua City Police Station as investigations continue.
The money was reportedly stolen on August 15, 2026, along Adumi Road in Arua Public Cell, when Raj Patel, 34, the manager of Muko Commodities Limited, was transporting the cash to Stanbic Bank for deposit. Police said Patel was riding a motorcycle towards the bank when he encountered a procession of supporters of Arua Central Division Member of Parliament Muzaidi Khemis, who were marching through the city to Arua Primary School grounds for a thanksgiving ceremony.
Patel reportedly stopped to allow the procession to pass, but two men riding behind him on another motorcycle intercepted him, knocked him down, and grabbed the bag containing the money before fleeing. Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said Patel attempted to pursue the assailants but was unable to catch them.
Angucia said Patel later reported the robbery to police, prompting investigators to review CCTV footage from the area. The footage reportedly helped police identify some of the suspects, leading to the arrest of the first suspect, who allegedly disclosed the identities of the others with whom the stolen money had been shared.
Police said disagreements among the suspects over the sharing of the stolen money also helped investigators trace the alleged participants, including Lumumba Cell LC1 Chairperson Saidi Kapere. Angucia said some of the suspects remain at large as police continue investigations.
Security reports in Arua City indicate that the seven suspects could be part of a wider robbery network, with some of the individuals allegedly becoming involved in the new local council system. Police said further investigations and recovery efforts are ongoing under Arua CRB 551/2026-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
