By Mike Rwothomio

Joint police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) operatives on Friday evening arrested a 46-year-old male suspect, Atabua Patrick, a Lugbara by tribe and a resident of Maracha cell, Yapi Ward, Ayivu East Division, Arua City, in possession of an illegal AK-47 rifle.

The arrest occurred in Odramacaku Trading Centre, Ayivu West Division, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia confirmed the operation, stating the suspect was intercepted following credible intelligence received by the Crime Intelligence office at Arua City Central Police Division.

“His arrest with the gun follows the recent reports of aggravated robberies using a gun in Arua City. Information was received by office of Crime Intelligence, Arua City Central Police Division that there was a group of armed robbers terrorizing communities in and around Arua City, and alleged these suspects to be the robbers,” Angucia said.

Angucia said further intelligence revealed the suspects “were planning to rob a truck that was delivering beer to Odramacaku Trading Centre.”

Responding swiftly, a combined team of police and UPDF personnel laid an ambush and apprehended Atabua before the robbery could be executed. He was found in possession of one AK-47 rifle serial number 052956-2956 loaded with 50 rounds of live ammunition.

A subsequent search at the suspect’s premises in Maracha cell, Yapi Ward, Ayivu East Division yielded no additional recoveries.

A case of unlawful possession of a firearm has been opened at Arua CPS under CRB 832/2025.

The suspect remains detained at Arua Central Police Station, where the recovered rifle has been exhibited, police said, adding the TVS Star motorcycle registration UGC 172T used to transport the firearm has been impounded and parked at the station as an exhibit.

This marks the second recent arrest involving an illegal AK-47 in Arua City. On November 2, 2025, one Asiimwe Benson was arrested in possession of an AK-47 serial number A83110111 and two magazines while attempting to board a Kampala-bound vehicle at Nsambya Shell petrol station (Arua CPS SD ref 43/2/11/2025).

Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigations.

SSP Angucia commended the swift response of the security team and thanked the public for providing actionable intelligence on illegal firearms. She warned individuals still holding illegal guns for criminal purposes to voluntarily surrender them, stating, “the long arm of the law will catch up with them.”

The recovered riffle

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub.