Police recovers stolen hospital equipment in DR Congo, three arrested
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BY ANDREW COHEN AMVESI
October 7, 2022
ARUA. The police in Arua have arrested three suspects in connection with theft of medical equipment belonging to Adumi Health Centre IV in Ayivu West Division, Arua City.
The equipment that included sterilizers and surgical implements were recovered from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on October 3, 2022 following a tip off leading to the arrest of the key suspects.
Josephine Angucia, the North Western region police spokesperson identified the suspects as Alfred Matua Afidra, 34, peasant farmer and a resident of Barize cell, Ombaci ward, Ayivu West Division, Jackson Dubo, 53, a watchman at Adumi Health Centre IV who doubles as a resident of Ojovu cell, Etori ward, Ayivu West division and Rebecca Candiru, 40, a business woman also a resident of Ozuvu cell, Kenya ward, all in Arua City.
Angucia said the arrest of the suspects and the subsequent recovery of the items followed an intelligence operation led by the police in Uganda and officials from Congo shortly after the loss of the medical equipment.
“Following serious investigations and surveillance, suspect Matua Alfred Afidra confessed to have stolen the hospital equipment in connivance with Dubo Jackson, which information led to arrest of Candiru Rebecca who equally confessed to having received the implements and took to Ariwara town, in Ituri Province of DR. Congo,” Angucia said.
“All the stolen equipment were recovered with the help of Immigration officials of Uganda and DR. Congo in connivance with Police Officers of both countries,” Angucia added.
The PRO said the items have been exhibited and the three suspects are detained at Onduparaka Police Station in Ayivu West Division as inquiries continue into the matter under the Division CRB 116/2022.
She said the three suspects have been charged with store breaking and theft of hospital equipment and their case file will be forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal advice.
“We appreciate the good relationship that exists between the authorities of Uganda and DR. Congo that led to the recovery of the stolen hospital equipment from DR Congo, and we urge both authorities to maintain this in order to fight cross border crimes,” Angucia appealed.
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