The East Kyoga Regional Police have recovered a fake gun believed to have been used in a series of night robberies in Soroti.
The fake firearm was discovered abandoned at Apalatunga Bridge along the Soroti–Moroto Highway on May 7, 2026, at approximately 9 PM, after community alarm regarding the sighting of the “gun” at night.
According to Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, the toy gun was improvised from elephant grass and smeared with mud.
The item has been documented and taken as an exhibit.Saiga noted that police have intensified patrols in the area as investigations continue. The location is recognized as a black spot for criminal activity, and it is suspected that the fake gun had been intended for use in an aborted robbery.
Soroti City is currently experiencing an upsurge of organized, violent criminal gangs, particularly in wards such as Campswahili, Kichinjaji, and Nakatunya. These gangs evolved from small groups into sophisticated, armed syndicates responsible for robberies, murders, and extortions targeting business operators.
Key gangs and hotspots are; Afrigo Boys Gang, active in Madera Ward; Fangon Gang operating in Kichinjaji Ward, and Matayo Gang operating in Nakatunya Ward, reportedly led by an individual named Matayo. In April 2026, a mobile money operator, Patricia Kokunda, was murdered at Teso Coach Park along Station Road by armed robbers.
Police identified the incident as a targeted hit by a well-organized syndicate, leading to the arrest of over 13 suspects in investigations spanning Soroti, Amuria, and Kalaki districts. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help combat the rising tide of crime in the region. URN