Arua Diocese is located in the northwestern part 9also known as the West Nile region0 of Uganda. The Diocese is bordered to the north by Catholic Diocese of Torit and the Diocese of Yei (both in South Sudan); to the south by Nebbi Catholic Diocese (Uganda); to the east by Gulu Archdiocese (Uganda); and to the west by Diocese of Mahagi-Nioka (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Arua Diocese was created on June 23 1958 by Pope Pius XII, having been cut off from the then Gulu Diocese. The Diocese is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There are eight vicariates in the Diocese: Adjumani Vicariate, Aripea Vicariate, Ediofe Vicariate, Lodonga Vicariate, Maracha Vicariate, Moyo Vicariate, Vurra Vicariate and the Vicariate for Refugees and Migrants. The Diocese has 69 parishes and sub-parishes grouped into 16 deaneries. Three of the deaneries are in Ediofe vicariate (Adumi, Ediofe and Ombaci), two are in Lodonga Vicariate (Lodonga and Koboko), two are in Aripea Vicariate (Aripea and Utumbari), two are in Maracha Vicariate (Maracha and Nyadri), three are in Moyo Vicariate (Moyo, Metu and Obongi), two are in Adjumani Vicariate (Adjumani and Pakele), two are in Vurra Vicariate (Arivu and Logiri) and the Vicariate for Refugees and Migrants.

The first bishop of Arua Diocese from its inception in 1958 was the late Rt. Rev. Angelo Tarantino of the Comboni Missionaries. He led the Diocese until 1984. The second bishop was the late Rt. Rev. Frederick Drandua. He led the Diocese from 1984 to 1986 as a Diocesan Administrator and from 1986 to 2009 as the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese. The third and the current bishop of Arua Diocese is Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki.