The illicit gin trade is witnessing a worrying resurgence within cattle kraals and remote rural areas of the Karamoja sub-region, despite ongoing security operations aimed at curbing its circulation.
Waragi, illicitly transported from Jinja, is increasingly bypassing security checkpoints and reaching herdsmen deep in grazing zones, particularly around the Kobebe grazing ground in Lotisan Sub-county, Moroto District. The herdsmen say the illicit gin has become so accessible that it is now being consumed as a substitute for food in these isolated areas.
Lochokon Apaa Lochugai, a herdsman at the Kobebe grazing grounds, says traders have exploited the herdsmen’s demand for alcohol and their inability to leave the kraals in search of it. As a result, dealers are now taking the alcohol directly to their customers using motorcycles. Another herdsman, Peter Abura, acknowledged a rise in violent incidents around the grazing areas, which he directly links to alcohol abuse.
While he explains that many herdsmen take waragi in the evenings to stay warm and alert at night, Abura admits that excessive consumption has resulted in fights and assaults. “Waragi has no problem when you take it responsibly; the challenge is the person taking it. Some of us take it after work and sleep without disturbing anyone,” Abura noted.
Asked about the legality of the trade, Abura said many herdsmen are unaware that the sale and consumption of illicit gin is restricted, describing waragi as a long-standing social drink in the community. “For us, we know this is our alcohol, and we use it for socialising. If it is restricted, then that should be for you people of the town.
Our problem is only misuse,” he added. Beyond social disruption, the health consequences of illicit gin are becoming increasingly evident.
Bernard Lokong, a resident of Rupa Sub-county, shared his personal ordeal, saying he abandoned waragi after developing serious health complications, including Hepatitis B. Lokong has since taken it upon himself to sensitise communities about the dangers of illicit gin, though he says his efforts are often ignored.
He expressed frustration with law enforcement, noting that despite police impounding and destroying large quantities of waragi, the trade continues openly in rural areas. Lokong challenged the police to intensify their operations, arguing that illicit gin has claimed many lives that often go unreported, as families quietly bury their dead.
He further pointed out that waragi is frequently cheaper than food, making it an attractive option for those seeking quick relief from hunger and daily hardships.
John Robert Adupa, the LCIII Chairperson of Lotisan Sub-county, described the illicit gin business as booming and deeply destructive to the lives of herdsmen. Adupa said dealers have established camps within grazing areas, exploiting a ready market with little resistance. He cited numerous cases of herdsmen fighting while intoxicated, resulting in serious injuries and, in some instances, death.
He recalled an incident in November in which two herdsmen from Turkana County in Kenya, who were grazing cattle in Moroto District, died following a fight fueled by waragi at the Kobebe grazing grounds. According to Adupa, the situation is worsened by the high consumption of waragi on empty stomachs, a practice now linked to severe health complications. He called for police intervention directly within the kraals to protect a population already vulnerable to hunger and deprivation.
Joseph Pulkol, the LCIII Chairperson of Tapac Sub-county, echoed similar concerns, confirming the widespread availability of illicit gin in major trading centres. Pulkol reported the recent deaths of two residents of Nakonyen Village who had reportedly relied entirely on waragi as food.
He revealed that the trade surged during the period when Tororo Cement Factory compensated communities for land. During that time, trucks ferrying marble stones were allegedly used to transport illicit gin into the area, often slipping through security checkpoints undetected.
Pulkol further noted that community sensitisation efforts have largely failed, as many residents feel financially independent and view alcohol consumption as a personal choice.
Despite these challenges, police insist they remain committed to combating the illicit gin trade. Authorities say several trucks carrying jerrycans of waragi have been impounded, court orders secured, and the contraband destroyed.
However, dealers continue to adapt, finding new routes and methods to penetrate rural communities. Reports indicate that in trading centres such as Nanyidik, Kosiroi, Naput, and Nakiloro, illicit gin is openly sold, often disguised in water bottles to evade detection.
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