By Henry Okello
TORORO
Authorities in Tororo district have dismantled a large-scale counterfeit cement racket, leading to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of over 700 bags of counterfeit cement.
The operation conducted yesterday 24th March 2025 in Osukuru Town Council, unearthed an illegal trade that had allegedly been thriving for years, with suspected involvement of key district leaders and police officers.
After learning that the entire security team has been part of the dirty business, a special and independent investigator, Milton Birungi, the criminal Investigation officer of Elgon police region, was introduced to the scene.
He noted that private cars are hired to transport Fine Dust from Busoga to Tororo where it’s later mixed with original cement from Tororo cement where 50Kgs of concrete cement is mixed with 500KG of Fine dust
Most of this cement has been sold in Tororo, Northern, Central and DR.Congo.
According to the reports obtained by our reporter, the team raided two stores in T-Caf Cell, T-Caf Ward, discovering 380 bags of counterfeit cement in one and 356 bags in the other.
Tororo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Sadiq Bategana Bakale confirmed the existence of the racket and emphasized the grave risks posed by using fake cement in construction works across the country.
“We have confirmed that adulterated cement is being processed here and sold to different parts of the country. Fake cement is a serious security threat, especially when used for constructing storage facilities and other buildings,” Bakale stated.
Bakale revealed that five individuals had been arrested and were assisting security agencies in tracking down other suspects.
Preliminary findings suggest that high-ranking district officials and security personnel may have been complicit in the illegal trade.
Anonymous security sources allege that Tororo LCV Chairperson John Okea, Regional Police Commander (RPC) Fred Ahimbisibwe, and Deputy RDC Albert Amula were receiving bribes to allow the racket to operate.
“We have information that key figures, including the LCV chairperson, the RPC of Tororo, and the deputy RDC, are involved. Those arrested have confessed that they pay these officials 400,000 shillings plus 200 liters of fuel every month to operate,” a security officer who preferred anonymity disclosed.
This is not the first time Tororo has been exposed as a hub for counterfeit cement production and distribution. With investigations ongoing, authorities warn that more arrests are expected as they seek to dismantle the entire network behind the illicit trade.
Efforts to reach Tororo Cement for a comment were unsuccessful, as the managing director’s phone was unavailable by the Time of filing the story.
