Police, Sister Forces Recover Two Illegally Possessed Guns in Arua City
Arua City, Uganda – Police in Arua City, working jointly with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have recovered two illegally possessed firearms in separate operations targeting armed criminal gangs believed to be behind recent robberies in the area.
According to SSP Josephine Angucia, the Police PRO for West Nile Region, the latest recovery was made on the evening of Friday, 21st November 2025, when security operatives arrested Atabua Patrick, a 46-year-old boda boda rider and resident of Maracha Cell, Yapi Ward in Ayivu East Division.
Atabua was intercepted at Odramacaku Trading Centre, near the Uganda–DR Congo border in Ayivu West Division, after intelligence reports indicated that a group of armed robbers was planning to ambush a truck delivering beer to the area.
“Our intelligence teams received information that suspected armed criminals were planning a robbery in Odramacaku. A joint team of Police and UPDF responded swiftly and managed to arrest the suspect before the crime was executed,” SSP Angucia said.
During the arrest, Atabua was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle number 052956-2956 loaded with 50 rounds of live ammunition. A subsequent search at his residence was also conducted as part of the ongoing investigations.
Police have since opened a case of illegal possession of a firearm under Arua CPS CRB 832/2025. The suspect is currently detained at Arua Central Police Station, where the recovered rifle is being kept as an exhibit. His motorcycle, a TVS Star registration number UGC 172T, was also impounded after being used to transport the weapon.
SSP Angucia revealed that this arrest follows another earlier incident in which Asiimwe Benson was captured with an AK-47 rifle number A83110111 and two magazines. Asiimwe was intercepted on 2nd November 2025 at Nsambya Shell petrol station in Arua City as he attempted to board a vehicle bound for Kampala.
Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
“We commend the quick action of our officers and appreciate the public for sharing timely information that has helped us recover illegal firearms,” SSP Angucia stated. She urged individuals still in possession of illegal guns to surrender them to security agencies, warning that “the long arm of the law will catch up with them” if they continue engaging in criminal activities.
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