Police in Lira District are investigating a “daring” attack on a police vehicle allegedly by a group of National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign foot soldiers in which a surveillance vehicle used by a detective was vandalised and items stolen.
The alleged attack occurred on October 28, 2025, along the Lira–Alebtong highway near Obot Primary School.
SP Julius Okema, North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson, said the vehicle, Reg. No. UP 4816, was on official surveillance duty when it was stopped and attacked.
“The complainant, Julius Isabirye, attached to the Criminal Investigations Headquarters, reported that while on official duty together with his driver, Peter Muhungo, they were attacked by a group of NUP foot soldiers led by Geoffrey Onzima, also known as Tower, and an unidentified colleague,” Okema said.
The assailants reportedly blocked the police car using motor vehicle Reg. No. UAN 925Q and a greenish drone, punctured all four tyres, and stole the car key chip sensor.
They also took a Dell laptop worth approximately Shs1.5 million, two 20-litre jerriy cans of diesel, and a bag of clothes belonging to the complainant.
“Preliminary findings suggest the attackers suspected the vehicle to be carrying a jammer interfering with their online communication network,” Okema added.
“The vehicle had been following their campaign trail across several districts, including Manafwa, Namisindwa, Tororo, Busia, Apac, Kwania, Kole, Lira Rural, and Lira City, before proceeding towards Alebtong District.”
Fifteen suspects traveling in the greenish drone have been apprehended, while Tower and his unidentified accomplice remain on the run.
The stolen items are yet to be recovered.
“A case of malicious damage and robbery has been registered at Bar Sub-county Police Station under SD Ref: 07/28/10/2025. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the key suspects,” Okema said.
Following the attack, heavy security was deployed on Tuesday night at Lira City Hotel, where Bobi Wine and his team were staying. Officers from the Field Force Unit (FFU), commanded by Moses Mukiibi, reportedly began knocking on hotel room doors in a coordinated search operation, seeking Tower and Andrew Natumanya, alias Ninye Tabz.
In a live TikTok broadcast, Bobi Wine said: “They are breaking into each of the rooms without revealing their actual purpose.”
The operation began shortly after 8:00 p.m., with two heavily packed vehicles arriving near Armaflex Hotel before proceeding to Lira City Hotel.
Ninye Tabz later posted on X (formerly Twitter): “BREAKING: Police is now breaking into the hotel where Bobi Wine is residing in Lira. The receptionist has been arrested and they’re knocking on every room. They’re commanded by FFU’s Mukiibi with a number of plain-clothed operatives, and their car number plates are covered!”
Police reportedly arrested around 15 NUP colleagues and impounded one of the vans in Kyagulanyi’s convoy.
The team had initially planned to spend the night in Soroti, but heavy rains cutting off roads in Alebtong and Otuke forced them to return to Lira to prepare for rallies in Abim and Kotido.
The Police has not issued an official statement regarding the hotel raid or the arrests. Investigations into the highway attack and related incidents are ongoing.
