Overview:
Uganda police confiscate hundreds of bags of fake cement, disrupting large-scale adulteration ring in Tororo district.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Operatives from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Uganda Police Force have raided a cement adulteration center in Tororo district, seizing over 700 bags of counterfeit cement and arresting five suspects.
The raid, which followed intelligence gathered by ISO, uncovered a large-scale operation where private vehicles were hired to transport fine dust from Busoga to Tororo, where it was mixed with genuine Tororo Cement. The adulterated cement was then sold across Tororo, Northern Uganda, Central Uganda, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Investigations revealed that 50 kilograms of original cement were being diluted with 500 kilograms of fine dust, resulting in a substandard product that poses serious safety risks.
The practice has been linked to rising cases of building collapses in the country.
Tororo Resident District Commissioner (ISO) Hajji Sadiq Bategeka, who participated in the operation, condemned the practice, warning that it could damage Uganda’s foreign market for Tororo Cement.
The five suspects arrested were identified as Swaib Semakula, Henry Senfuka, Sayyid Rashid, Joseph Wabale, and Frank Ainabyona, all workers at the adulteration site. This marks the second security operation at the same location within a year, raising concerns about the extent of the illicit trade.
The seized cement has been transported to Tororo Central Police Station as investigations continue. Authorities believe additional adulteration centers may exist along Mile 5 and Mile 8 on Mbale Road.
The crackdown on counterfeit cement operations is part of a broader effort to combat illicit trade and protect public safety in Uganda.