Lira, Uganda – The Lira City Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Lawrence Emmy Egole, has issued a strong warning to all LC1 chairpersons against conniving with criminals, stressing that anyone found culpable will face legal consequences.
Mr. Egole made the statement while addressing the media from his office on Wednesday afternoon, following a shocking incident in which an LC1 chairman was found in possession of stolen police property.
“It is true the LC1 of Ireda Estate was arrested for theft of maize from the police garden,” said Egole.
He added that during a police search, several illegal items were recovered from the LC1’s home, including a sack of mosquito nets labeled “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale”, a police uniform, a teargas canister, army boots, and other property.
The suspect was also found with fresh maize and a container of teargas among other items. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, according to RCC Egole.
He cautioned all LC1 and LC2 chairpersons to monitor their areas and uphold the law. RCC Egole called upon local leaders to be trustworthy and law-abiding, stating that any LC1 chairman found with illegal items will face the full force of the law.
In a related development, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the North Kyoga Region, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the theft of police property from Ireda Estate, which is police-owned land.
SP Okema said the Territorial Police in Lira City East Division had arrested Mr. Odwar Francis, a 53-year-old LC1 chairman of Ireda Estate Cell, Ireda Ward, Lira City East Division.
His arrest follows several reported cases of stolen maize, allegedly taken from gardens planted by police officers in the area. On 12th August 2025, following the discovery of fresh footprints in the garden, a police canine was introduced to the scene. The dog followed the trail through the maize plantation and led officers directly to the chairman’s home, before hesitating to move further.
Upon arrival, the chairman attempted to flee but was arrested and escorted to the main police station at Ireda Shamba for further investigation.
Subsequently, the Divisional CID of Lira City East Division dispatched a team of officers to conduct a search of the suspect’s home, aiming to recover any corroborative evidence. The search, conducted in the presence of nearby residents, led to the recovery of the following items:
- An empty gun magazine
- Two pairs of police trousers, four shirts, and one black police belt
- One sack of mosquito nets labeled Government of Uganda – Not for Sale
- One pair of black army boots
- A 17-inch Alipia TV screen
- Fresh maize camouflaged with dry maize
- One container of teargas
All the recovered items have been recorded as evidence. Police have preferred multiple charges against the chairman, including possession of government stores, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, and theft. Once the case file is complete, it will be submitted to the Resident Chief State Attorney (RCSA) for legal advice before the suspect is presented in court.
“As police, we strongly condemn this act and appeal to members of the public to always elect persons of high integrity into leadership positions to avoid incidents like this,” said SP Jimmy Patrick Okema.
Police further urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals within their communities to authorities, so proper investigations can be carried out and offenders brought to justice.
