Shock Across Uganda as USAID Uganda Health Activity Driver Arrested in Gulu Hospital Vehicle Theft

25 February 2026, 2:58 pm

By Gift Okello

Police in Gulu City have arrested a driver attached to USAID Uganda Health Activity in connection with the theft of a vehicle belonging to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.

The suspect, identified as Paul Apie, was arrested over the weekend and is currently detained at Gulu Central Police Station following a review of CCTV footage that allegedly places him at the hospital premises on the night the vehicle went missing.

The stolen vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser hard-body (registration number UBE 639F, red NGO plate), was reportedly driven out of the hospital parking yard on February 10, 2026, at about 8:20 p.m. The incident was formally reported to police on February 12 under SD Reference 146/12/02/2026. The vehicle had been donated in 2022 under the USAID RHITES-N programme to support hospital outreach activities.

According to the hospital’s Principal Administrator, Walter Uryek-Wun, the vehicle disappeared shortly after the designated driver had returned from Kampala with an ambulance.

Joseph Karugaba, the Gulu City Police Commander, confirmed the arrest of Apie, saying detectives are actively pursuing leads to establish the whereabouts of the stolen vehicle. He added that by the time of filing this report, a joint security meeting involving police investigators, hospital management, and USAID Uganda Health Activity officials was underway at the hospital, with the suspect present to assist investigators with further inquiries.

CCTV footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows a man dressed in black clothing, wearing shoes and a cap, entering the hospital compound while carrying a bag and tampering with the vehicle before driving it out.