Lira City, Uganda: Police in the North Kyoga region have arrested a 54-year-old businessman in an intelligence-led operation linked to a stolen motorcycle from Kampala, uncovering what investigators say could be a wider network of motorcycle trafficking and document forgery.
The suspect, Okello Tom Opio, was arrested from his business premises at Excel Company in Ojwina ‘A’ Ward in Lira City, where he deals in second-hand motorcycles and spare parts.
According to police authorities, the operation stemmed from the theft of motorcycle registration number UFZ 386L in Kabalagala, Kampala. “We acted on intelligence and tracked the motorcycle trail,” a senior investigator said.
The stolen motorcycle was later recovered in Gulu District, providing a key breakthrough that led detectives to Lira after a coordinated surveillance operation.
“The motorcycle was tracked and recovered in Gulu, and the intelligence trail eventually led us to Lira where the suspect was identified,” a source revealed.
12 Motorcycles, 100+ Logbooks Recovered
A search at the suspect’s premises uncovered what police describe as evidence of a larger criminal operation. “We recovered 12 motorcycles, over 100 suspected forged logbooks, and assorted spare parts believed to be linked to stolen motorcycles,” an officer involved in the raid said.
Investigators say the scale of the recovered documents points to an organised system of altering ownership records. “The volume of forged documents suggests this was not an isolated case, but a structured system of re-registering stolen motorcycles,” another officer added.
Police believe the case could expose a broader syndicate moving stolen motorcycles from Kampala through multiple districts before reintroducing them into the market.
“We are dealing with a pattern where motorcycles are stolen in Kampala, moved through intermediate districts, and reintroduced into the market with forged documentation,” a police intelligence source said.
The recovered logbooks are now undergoing forensic analysis to verify authenticity and trace potential victims.
Authorities have urged members of the public who have lost motorcycles to report to police with ownership documents for verification.
“We are asking all victims of motorcycle theft to report with their logbooks and identification details so we can cross-check with the recovered exhibits,” police said.
The suspect is currently detained at Lira City Central Police Station as investigations continue, with more arrests expected as detectives widen the probe.
The case adds to growing concerns over organised motorcycle theft rings operating across Uganda, often involving theft, document forgery, and resale in secondary markets.
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