In Summary: Former Arua District LCV Chairperson Alfred Okuonzi and his son, Stephen Pariyo, have been remanded to Luzira Prison after denying charges of abuse of office and theft involving a government-owned motorcycle allegedly sold for Shs6.5 million. The case follows their October 30 arrest alongside two alleged brokers, with investigators examining how the Yamaha motorcycle, registered in the name of Arua District Local Government, ended up being offered for private sale.
Kampala, Uganda — Former Arua District LCV Chairperson Alfred Okuonzi and his son, Stephen Pariyo, have been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with abuse of office and theft over the alleged illegal sale of a government-owned motorcycle valued at Shs6.5 million.
The two appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, November 2, where Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit read the charges against them. They denied the allegations and were remanded until November 10, 2026, when they are expected to return to court for their bail application.
The prosecution, through the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), alleges that Okuonzi abused his office while serving as Arua District LCV chairperson by irregularly taking charge of, and refusing to hand over to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), a Yamaha DT125 motorcycle with registration number UFA 401N.
The motorcycle was reportedly donated to Arua District Local Government by the Norwegian Refugee Council and was registered in the district’s name as government property.
According to the charge sheet, Okuonzi’s actions were prejudicial to the interests of the Government of Uganda. He and his son are also jointly accused of fraudulently taking the motorcycle without any claim of right, with the intention of permanently depriving Arua District Local Government of its property.
Their prosecution follows an October 30 operation by the Inspectorate of Government in which Okuonzi, Pariyo and two alleged brokers, identified as Felix Anguzu and Sisto Aleni, were arrested over the suspected sale of the motorcycle.
The Inspectorate last week said Okuonzi had allegedly instructed his son and the two brokers to find a buyer for the district-owned motorcycle, which was still in his possession. The suspects were initially taken to Arua City Central Police Station before being transferred to the IG’s headquarters in Kampala for further questioning.
How the motorcycle allegedly ended up on the market
Investigations into the transaction have focused on how a motorcycle registered in the name of Arua District Local Government allegedly ended up being advertised for private sale.
A report by Radio Pacis published on November 1 indicated that Pariyo allegedly approached the two brokers seeking assistance to find a buyer for the motorcycle, reportedly explaining that his father wanted to sell it.
The brokers, identified as Allen Sisto and Felix Anguzu in the report, allegedly helped advertise the motorcycle and connect it to prospective buyers.
According to accounts reported by the West Nile-based radio station, the motorcycle was initially advertised at Shs7 million before negotiations reportedly brought the price down to Shs6.5 million. The report further indicated that the prospective buyer paid Shs6 million to Pariyo in two instalments, with Shs500,000 reportedly remaining outstanding.
New Vision, a government-owned publication, separately reported that Pariyo acknowledged receiving Shs2 million on October 17, 2026, as an initial deposit, followed by another Shs4 million on October 20. The remaining Shs500,000 was reportedly due when the parties met at Rose Villa Hotel in Arua City, where the brokers and Pariyo were arrested.
Radio Pacis also reported that, during questioning, Okuonzi allegedly acknowledged that the motorcycle belonged to Arua District Local Government and that he had given it to his son to sell.
The report indicated that Okuonzi explained that he had lobbied for the motorcycle from development partners before it came into his possession.
However, the available registration document reportedly identifies Arua District Local Government as the registered owner, raising questions about the distinction between physical possession of the motorcycle and legal ownership.
Okuonzi served as Arua District LCV chairperson from 2021 to 2026. The case now places the management and accountability of public assets at the centre of a criminal investigation involving a former district political leader and his son.
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