Fleet of police surveillance vehicles
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Authorities in Lira District has found leads in an incident in which a police surveillance vehicle was reportedly attacked by supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The vehicle, used by detectives on official duty, was allegedly vandalized, with its tyres punctured and equipment stolen, before the assailants fled the scene.
The attack occurred on October 28, 2025, along the Lira–Alebtong highway near Obot Primary School. North Kyoga police spokesperson SP Julius Okema said the vehicle, registered UP 4816, was conducting official surveillance when a group of NUP campaign “foot soldiers,” allegedly led by Geoffrey Onzima, also known as Tower, blocked the car and carried out the attack.
According to police, the suspects used another vehicle, described as a greenish drone, to block the police car. Among the items stolen were a Dell laptop valued at around Shs 1.5 million, two 20-litre jerry cans of diesel, a bag of clothes, and the vehicle’s key chip sensor. Police suspect the attackers believed the vehicle contained equipment disrupting their communications.
Fifteen individuals believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended, but Tower and another unidentified accomplice remain at large. The stolen property has not yet been recovered.
A case of malicious damage and robbery has been filed at Bar Sub-county Police Station under SD Ref: 07/28/10/2025, and investigations are ongoing.
Following the highway incident, police deployed additional security at Lira City Hotel, where NUP presidential candidate Bobi Wine and his team were staying.
Officers from the Field Force Unit, led by Moses Mukiibi, conducted a coordinated operation, reportedly knocking on hotel room doors in search of Tower and another suspect, Andrew Natumanya, also known as Ninye Tabz.
In a live social media broadcast, Bobi Wine expressed concern over the police operation, stating that officers were entering rooms without clearly explaining their purpose. According to posts from Ninye Tabz on social media, police also detained the hotel receptionist and impounded one of the vans in Kyagulanyi’s convoy.
The NUP team had originally planned to stay in Soroti, but heavy rains in Alebtong and Otuke forced them to return to Lira ahead of planned rallies in Abim and Kotido. Police have not issued an official statement regarding the hotel raid, and investigations into both the highway attack and subsequent operations remain ongoing.
This incident has heightened tensions in the region ahead of the 2026 elections, as authorities and political parties navigate concerns over campaign security and law enforcement conduct.
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