Lamwo, Uganda: The Territorial Police in Lamwo District have recovered approximately 700 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a box of soap at Apiriti Border Post and arrested three suspects during an intelligence-led operation.
The operation was conducted on Sunday, August 9, 2026, starting at about 8:00 pm and continuing through the night at Apiriti Border Post in Madiopei Town Council.
According to Lamwo District Police Commander SP Magombe Reagan, the operation followed intelligence that a suspicious South Sudanese national had entered Uganda through the border post.
The DPC directed the Crime Intelligence Officer to closely monitor the suspect and provide updates on his movements.
The information was subsequently shared with the Commander of Bana Bana Battalion and the Officer in Charge of Madiopei Station, who coordinated with other officers to establish a checkpoint at Apiriti Border Post.
The suspect was identified as Edward Peter, 24, a South Sudanese national and boda boda rider from Tseretenya Village in Equotos County.
Police said Peter claimed he had entered Uganda to purchase a box of soap before proceeding to a garage belonging to NoKrach David, a Ugandan national and resident of Madiopei Town Council.
After collecting the box, Peter reportedly began travelling back towards Apiriti Border Post. When he reached the jointly established checkpoint, police stopped and searched him.
Although the box contained soap on top, officers discovered a metallic ammunition box concealed underneath it. The ammunition box was found to contain 700 rounds of live ammunition, according to police.
Peter was immediately arrested and taken back to the garage where he had collected the consignment, leading to the arrest of NoKrach David.
During preliminary inquiries, police said NoKrach allegedly stated that the box had been given to him by Kidega Tabu, the Giso of Madiopei Town Council, for onward delivery to a mechanic identified as Lukuli from Equotos.
Police subsequently traced and arrested Kidega Tabu.
Preliminary information further indicates that Lukuli had allegedly sent Peter to collect the consignment from NoKrach. Lukuli remains a person of interest, with police saying efforts are ongoing to trace him and establish his alleged involvement in the movement of the ammunition.
Police recovered one metallic ammunition box marked “7.62 × 39 mm FMJ/SC”, containing 700 rounds of live ammunition as indicated on the box. The box also bears markings including “LOT# 13 20-19” and “SSNF 50 05/19”.
A Bajaj motorcycle, registration number SSD 208AP, allegedly used by Peter, was also recovered and secured as an exhibit. The ammunition and motorcycle have been handed over for further investigations.
The case is being investigated by Lamwo Central Police Station under CRB 242/2026, in liaison with the 5th Division Command.
Police said investigations are focused on establishing the source of the ammunition, its intended destination, how it was moved across the Uganda–South Sudan border, and whether other people were involved in the consignment.
The intelligence-led operation resulted in the interception of the suspected consignment and the arrest of three people so far, while investigations continue.
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