At least seven gang members from different parts of Arua City have surrendered to authorities and vowed to cease terrorising the city, which is home to over 300,000 people.
This development adds to the ongoing efforts by security forces to restore peace in a city plagued by numerous illicit activities perpetrated by criminal elements.
In a statement issued on January 29, 2025, the West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Collins Asea, identified some individuals who voluntarily surrendered. They include Ali Tororo, Chicka (also known as Ali Baba), Lojugo, Oscar Boniface, Angina Roy, and Bashir (also known as Rambo), the leader of the Tito Tonki gang.
“The police in the West Nile region, in collaboration with the Office of the Resident City Commissioner and the community, have been actively engaging with individuals involved in criminal activities to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. Since last year, we have initiated dialogue with several known criminal gangs, urging them to abandon their unlawful activities within the city, surrounding areas, and the wider West Nile region,” part of Asea’s statement read.
According to the police, this initiative was orchestrated by the Arua Resident City Commissioner’s Office in partnership with concerned community members, who directly engaged with the individuals involved in criminal activities.
Asea noted that the surrendered gang members “have demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, and we are pleased to report a noticeable decline in incidents such as phone and bag snatching on the streets, among other crimes.”
The police have encouraged others engaged in criminal activities to come forward and embrace a path of positive change.
Throughout the year, security forces in Arua City have conducted various operations to rid the city of notorious criminals who exacerbate insecurity through theft, robbery, break-ins, burglaries, and other offences. However, these crimes persist.
Local leaders and stakeholders have been urged to integrate the surrendered individuals into life-changing ventures, such as vocational skills training and productive activities, to empower them to become valuable citizens.
The police have also encouraged the community to welcome the reformed individuals and avoid harassing them. They called for vigilance and urged residents to report any signs of a return to criminal behaviour.
Authorities emphasised the importance of a mindset change among the pardoned individuals, warning that “their files remain open, and any breach of the law will result in the reactivation of their charges.”
Additionally, authorities have called for meaningful reconciliation between the pardoned gang members and the communities they wronged to foster unity.
However, some city residents have repeatedly expressed frustration over the authorities’ reported practice of releasing suspects early, which they believe has contributed to the persistence of crime in the city.