Richard Lochoro, the speaker of Nakapiripirit district, is wanted by the police who have summoned him to explain the presence of 35 jerrycans of crude waragi at his residence.
The waragi was found by a joint security team during a raid on Lochoro’s home in Namalu sub-county.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed that the waragi had been confiscated and that Lochoro had been summoned to record a statement. Longole said that investigations into the matter were ongoing.
The discovery of the waragi has raised concerns about the sale of illicit alcohol in the district.
Gabriel Loduk, an elder in Lolachat trading centre, said that waragi is openly sold in the trading centre and that even some security officers purchase it for personal consumption. Loduk alleged that police officers have previously confiscated waragi from traders and later sold it secretly to the community.
He also mentioned that several local leaders in the district are involved in waragi deals, which is why they have not enacted by-laws to restrict trade. In December 2022, six waragi traders were arrested for attempting to bribe police officers in Nakapiripirit district after their vehicle transporting illicit waragi was impounded.
Subsequently, a district councillor, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, called the police to accept the bribe and release the truck.
Additionally, a police officer from the same police station was remanded for stealing 14 jerrycans of the impounded illicit gin from the exhibit storage room.
