Gulu City East police have arrested David Opiro, the LCII Chairperson of Paduny Parish in Awach Sub-county, on allegations of defrauding community members in a fake motorcycle auction scheme.

According to police spokesperson David Ongom Mudong, Opiro deceived four victims out of a total of 2.25 million shillings between September 23 and 24, 2025.

He falsely claimed that the Gulu City East Policing Division was organizing auctions to sell motorcycles and convinced the victims to mobilize funds through phone calls, promising to secure motorcycles on their behalf.

“There was never any auction organized by the police,” Mudong said.

Opiro was arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Gulu East Police Station after officers noticed him suspiciously photographing motorcycles. During the arrest, police recovered 1.7 million shillings believed to be proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.

The victims include Peter Oola, a pastor with the Church of Uganda, who paid 450,000 shillings; Asan Olanya, a boda boda rider, who also parted with 450,000 shillings; Tony Opiyo, a mobile money operator, who contributed 750,000 shillings; and Justine Komakech, a peasant farmer, who handed over 600,000 shillings.

Mudong expressed regret that a local leader, entrusted to protect the community, would betray that trust by engaging in such fraudulent activities.

Investigations are ongoing, and Opiro is expected to face court charges once the inquiries are complete.