Ugandan authorities have arrested three people in connection with a stealing of five vehicles belonging to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government of South Sudan.

Ugandan media report that two of the individuals are South Sudanese and one is a Ugandan, believed to be part of a gang that deals in the cross-border smuggling of vehicles between South Sudan and Uganda.

Following the July violence in Juba, several institutions, including non-governmental organizations reported extensive lootings of their vehicles, among other properties.

The Ugandan Flying Squad Unit commandant, Herbert Muhangi, says the recovered vehicles are believed to have been stolen within September and October.

“We launched our search for the criminals in the districts close to South Sudan border. We recovered the vehicles from garages in Arua and Koboko districts,” Mr Muhangi told Daily Monitor.

Mr. Muhangi says the vehicles were recovered from garages in Arua and Koboko districts.

The five vehicles have been impounded, and are currently parked at the Kampala Central Police Station.

“Cases of stolen vehicles from South Sudan and brought to Uganda are on rise. I think criminals are taking advantage of the political unrest,” he added.