Arua Deputy RCC, Mayor survive mob attack at DRC border
Police were forced to fire bullets to disperse the crowd.
Arua: An angry mob attacked Ayivu Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Godfrey Jonah Mbigutti, Ayivu Division Mayor Marlon Avutia and a team from the Uganda Red Cross Society at Odramacaku Trading Centre in Arua City.
The incident occurred at around 10:40am on August 10, 2026, at Odramacaku Border Point in Ayivu West Division, along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia, police had been conducting a routine patrol at the border since about 7:00am to enforce Ebola prevention guidelines.
At the same time, the Deputy RCC, Division Mayor and their entourage arrived at the trading centre to sensitise residents about plans to reopen the Odramacaku market in phases.
Angucia said the community became violent after some residents accused the team of promoting the opening of another animal market at Onduparaka while the Odramacaku market remained closed.
The residents reportedly started throwing stones at the officials, forcing security personnel to evacuate them to Odramacaku Police Station.
However, the mob followed them to the police station and allegedly demanded that the officials be released so they could attack them.
Police were forced to fire bullets to disperse the crowd.
Two residents were injured by stray bullets during the incident. They have been identified as Feta Fred and Andama Benson, both adult males from Nunu Cell, Anzu Ward, Ayivu West Division.
The mob also damaged three motor vehicles registered as UG 3331C, UP 5724 and UBM 718L.
Police have opened cases of assault, malicious damage to motor vehicles, theft and unlawful wounding.
Angucia said police have recorded statements from eyewitnesses, examined the scene and documented exhibits.
“We condemn the unlawful acts of angry mob taking the law into their hands without giving room for proper reasoning and investigations,” Angucia said.
She urged members of the public to report grievances to police and other authorities instead of resorting to violence.
“We encourage the general public to report matters to Police and other authorities for proper investigations and appropriate lawful action to minimize fatalities, injuries and destructions,” she added.
The Officer in Charge of Onduparaka Police Station said she had not been informed about the community sensitisation programme at the market and therefore could not deploy adequate personnel.
The team reportedly relied on the few officers already stationed at the border to enforce Ebola standard operating procedures.
Ayivu Division Mayor Marlon Avutia condemned what he described as false information that a new animal market was being established in Onduparaka to deliberately keep the Odramacaku market closed.
He also condemned what he described as incitement of violence by some individuals.
No arrests have been made so far, as police continue investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The case is being investigated under Odramacaku Police Post Station Diary reference 10/10/08/2026.
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