By Alexander Mackey Okori
Two people have been detained at Katakwi Central Police Station after the vehicle they were travelling in was impounded for transporting illicit waragi.
The suspects were intercepted by soldiers attached to Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) manning Orungo corner checkpoint along Soroti-Moroto Highway on Wednesday morning at around 5:30a.m.
The vehicle registration number UA446AE, a lorry enroute from Jinja to Moroto was found loaded with 24 jerrycans of outlawed distilled waragi.
Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said that the vehicle was being driven by David Wanda, aged 50, who is currently detained at Katakwi Central Police Station alongside another occupant Eunice Nakiru aged 25 and a business woman from Lorengechora in Napak district.
He said that jerrycans containing illicit waragi were found covered with sacks to prevent the security from detecting it.
According to Longole, the vehicle was driven to Katakwi Central Police Station (CPS) where its currently parked.
“The successful operation underscores their commitment to enforcing the law and protecting communities from the harmful effects of illicit liquor,” said Longole.
He warned that their operations against dealing in illegal businesses will not spare anyone found against the law.
The incident comes barely a week, the police in Moroto destroyed 300 jerrycans of illicit waragi valued at Shs66.6 million after securing a court order.
In May 2023, President Museveni issued an executive order No.3, which banned the production, sale, and consumption of illicit alcohol in Karamoja Sub-region as well as charcoal trade.
The order was prompted by the devastating health and social consequences linked to the widespread consumption of illicit waragi, as well as the growing climate effects such as prolonged drought, and erratic rains due to massive environmental destruction.
However, since then, the inflow of illicit waragi continues to strive as traders have devised new techniques to invade arrests by the security personnel manning several checkpoints leading to Karamoja Sub-region.
The dealers, according to authorities, move at night when the security personnel are asleep.
Recently the deputy ASTU commandant Faustine Oyese, reiterated security force’s commitment to crackdown individuals involved in the sale of illicit waragi inline with the Presidential Executive Order No. 3 issued in 2023.
He described consumption of illicit waragi as a factor motivating armed warriors to e in criminal activities such as cattle rustling, road ambushes and attacks on military installations.
