Five arrested in adulterated cement bust in Tororo
"We found that 50kg of genuine cement was being mixed with 500kg of fine dust," said Birungi.
Over 700 bags of adulterated cement were confiscated in Tororo district in a security operation. (Credit: George Ofwono)
George Ofwono
Journalist @New Vision
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Five suspects have been arrested in a major cement adulteration operation in Uganda's eastern district of Tororo.
Operatives from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and Uganda Police Force raided two storage facilities in TICAF Cell, Osukuru town council and seized over 700 bags of adulterated cement.
The security bust also resulted in the arrest of Swaib Semakula, Henry Senfuka, Sayyid Rashid, Joseph Wabale, and Frank Ainebyona — all workers at the storage facilities.
The raid followed an intelligence-led operation by the ISO.
It exposed a sophisticated operation involving the mixing of fine dust with genuine Tororo cement.
"We found that 50kg of genuine cement was being mixed with 500kg of fine dust," said Milton Birungi, the criminal investigations officer of the Elgon Police Region, who was brought in to oversee the investigation.
Five suspects were arrested in the operation as investigations continue.
He said private vehicles were used to transport the fine dust from Busoga to Tororo for mixing.
This adulterated cement, significantly compromised in strength and durability, has been widely distributed across Tororo, northern Uganda, central Uganda, and even to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tororo resident district commissioner (RDC) Hajji Sadiq Bategana, who was part of the raid, strongly condemned the illegal activity.
"This practice threatens our country's reputation and could be behind the collapse of many buildings," he said.
Bategana also spoke of the potential damage to Uganda's foreign market reputation, particularly concerning the export of cement to regional markets.
This is the second such raid in the area within a year, suggesting the problem is widespread.
The seized adulterated cement was taken to Tororo Central Police Station, with investigations ongoing.