Jimmy Anguyo the Police PRO W. Nile Pointing at the impounded Kenyan Vehicle that was stolen from Malaba.
Security has been heightened along the Uganda–DR Congo and South Sudan border in West Nile following a new wave of motor vehicle theft.
For years, Uganda has grappled with vehicle theft, especially from Kampala, with most of the stolen cars driven through West Nile and sold in DR Congo.
Reports indicate that in the last two years, more than 20 vehicles stolen from Kampala crossed through porous border points into DR Congo, with no recoveries made. The vehicles are often dismantled, fitted with new number plates, or altered in color and engine numbers.
However, with the introduction of digital number plates in Uganda and renewed cooperation between Ugandan and Congolese authorities, the practice had significantly reduced over the past year.
In March this year, security operatives in West Nile intercepted two Ugandan-registered vehicles—a new model Harrier and a brand-new Toyota Probox—at Vurra Customs border point as they were being driven into DR Congo. Both vehicles remain parked at Arua Central Police Station.
The latest incident involved a Kenyan-registered Land Cruiser TX Grand, Reg. KCQ 369 F, worth about UGX 400 million.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen through trickery in Malaba town, Eastern Uganda, before being driven through Kampala–Gulu highway to West Nile. It was intercepted at Slumberland Hotel in Arua City while suspects were removing its Kenyan number plates and replacing them with Congolese ones.
The suspect is now detained at Arua CPS. According to security sources, thugs appear to have shifted their focus to stealing Kenyan-registered vehicles, which still lack digital number plates. West Nile Police Spokesperson Jimmy Anguyo explained:
Nearly two years ago, a new ambulance belonging to Arua Regional Referral Hospital was stolen from the hospital yard and sold in DR Congo, with no recovery to date.
Last year, President Museveni endorsed the introduction of digital number plates as a security measure to curb theft and other crimes. Security agencies say the system has already reduced vehicle theft cases in Uganda, particularly from Kampala and eastern regions.
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