'They waved me down': Suspected highway robbers arrested in Arua

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Police in Arua district said they have arrested two suspected highway robbers in connection with an incident involving a vehicle carrying relief food to Moyo-based Palorinya Refugee Settlement in West Nile sub-region.

The driver of the trailer, identified as Abdul Aziz, told Police what happened on the fateful day.

He was driving on the Arua-Nebbi highway in the direction of Arua. Suddenly, he spotted a group of people holding machetes at Kamukamu trading centre, which is a notorious spot for highway robberies.

The group waved him down, but he did not stop. This prompted the suspects to force their way onto the moving trailer before offloading bags of posho (maize meal).

Helpless behind the wheels, Aziz from Kyengera in Kampala alerted the Police, but the suspects had already jumped off the trailer and escaped into the bush.

North West Nile region Police spokesperson Josephine Angucia said they have since arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

They are Godwin Asara and Brian Sabute, both residents of Ocoko parish, Ajia sub-county in Arua district.

Angucia said a team of police officers commanded by the district police commander, Arua responded to the scene and searched the nearby bushes.

At around 6am on Friday, a vehicle (Harrier Reg No. UAW 012A) with four occupants was intercepted carrying four bags of posho, believed to have been the stolen relief food.

Angucia said two suspects were accordingly arrested. A motorcycle found in their possession was also impounded and is currently parked at Arua Police Station at Odumi.

She said investigations are ongoing.