By Alexander Mackey Okori
The Kotido Resident District Commissioner, Charles Ichogor, has directed the arrest of security officers deployed to man security checkpoints along Kotido-Abim highway on Thursday night over alleged collusion with crude waragi dealers.
His directive follows an incident in which a vehicle carrying 445 jerry cans of illicit waragi and seven occupants aboard was impounded in the wee hours of Friday morning.
The Isuzu lorry with Reg. No. UBJ 823M, enroute to Kotido from Lira was impounded at Lokitelaebu checkpoint in Kotido district.
The suspects, identified as Tonny Abol, George Opio, Thomas Agol, Daniel Okello, Hillary Emuna, Joshua Ogwang, and Elly Odokori, are currently being held at Kotido Central Police Station with their vehicle and waragi as exhibits.
Speaking to Radio Etoil A Karamoja at Kotido Central Police Station, Ichogor directed the 43rd Battalion Commander to arrest army officers on duty during the night in question to assist in the investigations.
He criticized some security personnel for allegedly turning the ongoing operations against illicit waragi entry to Karamoja sub-region into a money-making venture.
This, according to him, contravenes the Presidential Executive Order No.3 issued in 2023, banning charcoal burning, sale and consumption of crude waragi.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col Emmy Kafureka, the 43 Battalion Commander, revealed that they are conducting investigations to ascertain the circumstances under which the vehicle loaded with illicit waragi bypassed all the checkpoints without being intercepted.
He explained that if the officers are found to have extorted money from the suspects, they will face legal consequences.
