Gulu LCII Chair Arrested Over Alleged Fraud in Fake Motorcycle Auction Scheme

The Gulu City East Policing Division is holding the LCII Chairperson of Paduny Parish, Awach Subcounty in Gulu District, Mr Opiro David, on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence with intent to defraud members of the public.

According to ASP Ongom David Mudong, PRO Aswa West police, between September 23 and 24, 2025, Opiro allegedly telephoned four individuals, claiming that the Gulu City East Policing Division was conducting a motorcycle auction.

He reportedly asked them to mobilise money so that he could help them acquire motorcycles, yet no such auction was taking place.

Victims later told police that they had each handed over money to the LCII Chairperson as follows: Oola Peter, a pastor at Awach Church of Uganda – Shs 450,000, Komakeck Justine, a farmer – Shs 600,000, Opio Tonny, a mobile money operator – Shs 750,000, and Oulanya Asan, a boda boda rider – Shs 450,000

The total amount collected was Shs 2,250,000.

Police said Opiro was arrested in the early hours of September 24, 2025, at around 2:00 a.m. within the premises of the police station after he arrived with the victims.

His suspicious conduct, including photographing exhibits, prompted officers to interrogate the group. The victims then revealed that Opiro had brought them to the station to collect the “auctioned” motorcycles.

Upon a search, police recovered Shs 1,700,000 from the suspect, which was exhibited as evidence.

“It is very unfortunate that a local leader, who should have exercised his duty to protect his people from fraudsters, instead ended up defrauding them. No one is above the law. Should he be found culpable upon conclusion of investigations and his file sanctioned, he will appear before court for prosecution,” said Mudong.