The leader of a suspected criminal gang that led a violent attack on supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, in Gulu City has been arrested, police have confirmed.
Ms Fatuma Aleng, also known as the “Ghetto Youth President”, was arrested on the night of December 17, 2025, along with 41 of her alleged members.
According to police, Aleng mobilised a group of 50 youth who went on a rampage in Gulu City on December 6, when Kyagulanyi was in the city to campaign. The violence left five people seriously injured and one dead.
“We managed to arrest 41 suspects and they are currently being detained at Gulu CPS. Among those arrested is one Aleng Fatuma who allegedly led the mobilization of the suspected criminal gangs using various media platforms like TikTok among others,” said ASP David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa West Region Police Spokesperson.
In a verified 4-minute and 7-second video clip, Aleng is seen planning the attack on NUP supporters, telling her members that they will be rewarded with money for disrupting the rally.
“There will be money after the mission has been executed successfully. Small amount of money will be given and big one will follow,” she said.
Aleng also accused leaders of exploiting the youth and promised to lobby for brick making machines and motorcycles for ghetto youth leaders.
“Shs5 million will never change your life. Those who have been in the ghetto know this,” she said.
The video, recorded on December 1, shows Aleng telling her members to execute the attack on December 6, after yellow t-shirts are delivered. She warned security agencies against firing tear gas on the ghetto youth when they are executing the task.
“We are going to the ground, but no tear gas should be fired at us,” she said.
The arrest comes after intense public criticism from politicians, cultural and religious leaders, who demanded accountability and prosecution for those behind the violence.
According to research conducted between 2018 and 2019 in Gulu City, the rising number of children branded as Aguu on the streets of Gulu City is attributed to violent land wrangles and the over two decades’ long LRA insurgency in northern Uganda.
The research, titled “Aguu: From Acholi Post War Street Youth and Children to a Criminal Gangs in Modern Day Gulu City, Uganda”, found that the initial groups of street children dubbed Aguu in Gulu came from families who lost access to their lands, night commuters and those who were uprooted from their land due to the LRA conflict.
The police have called for calm, saying those responsible will face the courts of law. “As we earlier on promised that those found culpable will be either summoned or arrested, we urge the general members of the public of Acholi to remain calm as we promise to have all those culpable brought to book so that justice prevails for all,” ASP Mudong said.