The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has arrested the Lira City West Division Boda-Boda Riders Chairperson, Owera Juma, over the disappearance of two motorcycles reportedly handed to him under the government’s Jua-Kali programme.
Owera was arrested on Friday, October 16, 2026, during an operation in Lira City and Lira District led by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), which oversees the programme. The operation sought to establish how the motorcycles were being used to support the activities of the boda-boda leadership in the division.
The motorcycles were reportedly provided under the Jua-Kali programme, an initiative associated with President Yoweri Museveni aimed at supporting organised business groups to improve their livelihoods through government assistance.
During the operation, boda-boda riders present questioned Owera’s claim to represent a recognised group, with some reportedly saying they were unaware that two motorcycles had been allocated to their chairperson. They also denied knowledge of the group he claimed to lead, raising questions about the circumstances under which the motorcycles were obtained.
Before his arrest, Owera reportedly told officials that the motorcycles had been handed to him by former Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena at her residence in Senior Quarters, Lira City. He said Amongi had asked him to submit the name of a boda-boda group to benefit from the programme, after which he received the two motorcycles.
Owera further claimed that he had not signed any documents when receiving the motorcycles.
The operation was spearheaded by the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa, in coordination with CID officers in Lira City. Lakisa, who is also the Alebtong District Woman Member of Parliament, said the arrest was intended to assist investigations and the recovery of the motorcycles, which were reportedly meant to support the division’s boda-boda office.
Pamela Mbabazi, a High-Level Policy Collaborator at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, urged groups that had benefited from the Jua-Kali programme to use the government support responsibly and for its intended purpose of strengthening their businesses.
Lakisa warned against corruption and the misuse of government resources, saying the government would not tolerate such practices. She cited the Angwetangwet Catering Group as an example of beneficiaries making use of the programme’s support, noting that the group had received tents and saved money on its account. She added that several groups had continued to request additional support.
The Jua-Kali programme is intended to support small-scale entrepreneurs and organised groups engaged in activities such as farming, tailoring, salon businesses, mechanics, and welding, among others.
Owera’s arrest comes as officials seek to establish the whereabouts of the two motorcycles and determine the circumstances surrounding their allocation.