The Uganda Police in Lamwo district have arrested two key suspects linked to an organised motorcycle theft syndicate operating in Lira and Gulu.
According to a statement by the uganda police,the operation followed a robbery that occurred on 18.02.2026 in the Railway Area of Lira City, where a boda boda rider, Okello Moses, was attacked with a hammer and his motorcycle, registration number UGH 245H, stolen.
“Acting on intelligence, Police officers mounted a checkpoint at Apyeta Bridge, where they arrested Kilama Robert (27), a resident of Lwaya Village, Ogili Sub-County, and Oweka Gerald, who was found in possession of a red Bajaj motorcycle without a number plate”,the police statement reads in part.
”A subsequent search at Oweka Gerald’s residence led to the recovery of a motorcycle, related documents, and several suspected stolen number plates, including: UGF 193J, UGH 918M, UMA 367BC, UFS 918F, UGA 101H, and UGA 069H”,the statement further states.
According to the statement,the suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.
According to the most recent Police annual Crime Report of 2024,a total of 61,529 theft cases were reported to the police throughout Uganda in 2024. This made theft the leading offence, representing about 28 % of all reported crimes that year.
With theft cases on the rise, it remains to be seen how the Uganda Police will deploy it’s officers with different strategies to curb the habit.
