Lira City | Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving Spiro electric motorcycles or unauthorised battery charging and swapping operations.
In recent days, the police have discovered an alleged criminal network using duplicated registration number plates to evade law enforcement.
Security officials later intercepted two separate Spiro electric motorcycles bearing identical registration numbers during an operation targeting urban crime, road safety, and compliance with motor vehicle regulations.
Speaking during a press briefing, the North Kyoga Regional Police PRO, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, said the operation led to the arrest of three suspects who are currently being held at Lira Central Police Station.
The suspects are accused of duplicating registration number plates for Spiro electric motorcycles.
According to SP Okema, security officers recovered two motorcycles carrying identical registration numbers, UMA 089GJ and UMA 175FK, raising concerns over an organised scheme aimed at undermining the country’s vehicle registration and monitoring systems.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the duplicated registration number plates are part of an emerging scheme employed by certain motorcycle operators to evade law enforcement surveillance, circumvent Spiro’s battery subscription and tracking systems, and facilitate unlicensed commercial operations,” the PRO said.
He explained that intelligence gathered by security agencies further revealed that some operators have established unauthorised battery charging and battery-swapping centers outside the officially gazetted Spiro infrastructure.
Police believe these illegal facilities enable operators to bypass the company’s approved battery subscription system while concealing the identities of motorcycles through the use of forged and duplicated registration numbers.
Okema said such activities not only undermine legitimate business operations but also pose serious security and public safety risks, as motorcycles operating under false identities become difficult to trace when involved in criminal activities or traffic offences.
Investigations are ongoing to establish how the suspected forged registration numbers were produced, identify all individuals connected to the operation, and determine the full extent of the criminal network behind the alleged fraud.
“We have commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected forgery of registration numbers, identify all individuals involved, and determine the full extent of the criminal network behind these activities,” Okema stated.
He warned that anyone found culpable would face appropriate legal action in accordance with the laws of Uganda.
Police have also appealed to the public, motorcycle riders, transport operators, and community leaders to cooperate with security agencies by reporting any suspicious motorcycle-related activities, including unauthorised battery charging or swapping centers operating outside approved Spiro facilities.
Authorities say public cooperation will be critical in dismantling the suspected network and protecting the integrity of Uganda’s motor vehicle registration system.
“We remain committed to disrupting criminal networks, safeguarding the integrity of motor vehicle registration systems, and ensuring public safety,” Okema emphasised.
The latest operation forms part of broader nationwide efforts by security agencies to strengthen road safety enforcement, combat urban crime, and prevent criminals from exploiting technological loopholes within emerging electric transport systems.
Police have assured the public that similar operations will continue as investigations progress.
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