Arua City, Uganda: Police in the West Nile sub-region are holding in custody 14 suspects arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery attack on an Election Special Police Constable (ESPC) in Arua City, as investigations into rising security risks facing election personnel continue.
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 26, 2025, in Kirabu Cell, Kenya Ward, Central Division–Oli, Arua City.
West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson Josephine Angucia confirmed the arrests, saying the case exposed serious lapses in off-duty safety procedures among election security officers.
According to SSP Angucia, the victim, ESPC Somadri Rahim, attached to Arua Central Police Station, had reported for night patrol duty but withdrew prematurely from his post at around 2:00am, alongside three colleagues, without formal authorisation.
The officers reportedly changed into civilian clothing while heading to their homes in Kirabu Cell, carrying their police khaki uniforms in backpacks. While walking along Onduparaka Road, they were ambushed by a group of assailants armed with sticks and knives.
“The perpetrators assaulted the victim, inflicting serious injuries, and robbed him of his backpack containing police uniform items. The other constables fled the scene unharmed,” Angucia said.
A motorised police patrol responded swiftly and evacuated Rahim to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. He has since been discharged and is recovering.
Crime scene investigators processed the area, documented exhibits, and recorded witness statements. A police uniform shirt was later recovered, while efforts to trace the missing trousers are ongoing.
Police warned that illegal possession of police uniforms by unauthorised persons is a criminal offence under Ugandan law, and suspects found in possession will face prosecution.
The 14 suspects, currently detained at Arua Central Business Division Police Station under case reference CRB 895/2025, include: Munguci Godwin, Godi Abdul Karim, Howard Ismael, Ayiko Saviour, Abel Mahad, Auzo Philliam, Anguyo Innocent, Lematia Godfrey, Aleyo Phanuel, Boyi Yasin, Aniku Albert, Adriko Godwin, Dati Benard, and Agebu Cosmas.
In a related incident on December 28, 2025, another ESPC, Ariaka Gilbert, was assaulted by unknown attackers at around 5:00 am in Alivu A village along Koboko Road in Ayivu East Division while returning to the station for debriefing after an unauthorised early withdrawal from duty. He was also rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital as investigations continue.
SSP Angucia issued a stern warning to all Electoral SPCs, urging strict adherence to duty protocols and chain-of-command procedures, especially regarding withdrawal from duty posts.
She advised constables to leave duty stations only in coordinated groups and with formal authorisation to reduce exposure to targeted attacks. She also appealed to communities to respect ESPCs, noting that many are locally recruited and play a critical role in election security.
More than 5,000 ESPCs have recently been trained and deployed across the West Nile sub-region to maintain law and order ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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