By Richard Onapatum

Kotido, Uganda – Security forces in Kotido District have intercepted a lorry transporting 445 jerry cans of crude waragi, in what officials are calling one of the largest seizures of illicit alcohol in the region this year.

The Isuzu lorry, bearing registration number UBJ 823M, was apprehended in the early hours of Friday morning at Lokitelaebu checkpoint, the final barrier before entering Kotido town. The truck, reportedly en route from Lira District, had managed to pass through several other checkpoints undetected.

The operation led to the arrest of seven men on board the vehicle, who are now in custody as investigations intensify into possible collusion with security personnel.

The incident comes in violation of Presidential Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which bans the production, sale, transport, and consumption of crude waragi across the Karamoja sub-region. The ban was introduced to curb rising cases of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and health complications linked to the consumption of the unregulated local spirit.

“This is not just about alcohol; it’s about corruption, health, and the erosion of public trust,” said Charles Ichogor, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kotido. “The fact that this truck passed through multiple checkpoints is deeply concerning.”

Following the seizure, Ichogor ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of all army officers who had manned the checkpoints the night the truck traveled through.

Speaking on the matter, Lt. Col. Emmy Kafureka, commander of the 43rd Battalion, confirmed that a joint investigation between military and civilian authorities is underway.

“If any officers are found to have taken bribes or failed to carry out their duties, disciplinary action will be taken without hesitation,” Kafureka said.

Crude waragi is a highly potent and unregulated alcohol with an alcohol content that can exceed 40%. It is often produced in unsafe conditions and has been linked to a host of public health problems including liver failure, blindness, and early death. In Karamoja, where medical services are limited, the damage is especially severe.

Local leaders say the issue is not just about law enforcement, but about tackling the root causes that fuel the waragi trade—poverty, unemployment, and addiction.

Residents of Kotido reacted strongly to the news. Esther Atim, a women’s rights activist, said the bust should trigger broader reforms.

“Waragi is destroying our homes and our youth. We need more than arrests—we need prevention, education, and economic alternatives,” Atim said.

Local authorities are now calling for stronger measures to combat the continued trade and use of crude waragi, including:

• Rotating security personnel at checkpoints to prevent long-term collusion

• Independent audits of checkpoint operations

• Hotlines for anonymous community reporting

• Public education campaigns about the health and social impacts of waragi

• Youth employment programs to reduce economic reliance on smuggling

As the seized truck remains parked at Kotido Central Police Station, it now serves as both evidence and a warning. For authorities and residents alike, the question is no longer whether waragi is a threat—it’s how to dismantle the networks enabling it.

“This incident must be a turning point,” RDC Ichogor said. “If we are serious about protecting our communities, we must start by ensuring the integrity of those tasked with guarding them.”

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