Police Trucks Used to Transport Marble Stones in Karamoja

Police trucks in Karamoja sub region are being used to transport marble stones. Some of the trucks that are designated for transporting food stuffs for police in Karamoja, reportedly strike deals with businessmen to load and carry stones on their way to Kampala. 

Yesterday, a police truck, registration number UP 2375 was seen loaded with marble stones from Rupa Sub County in Moroto district before turning into Mt. Moroto Regional Police Headquarters to pick motorbikes that were being sent back to Kampala for repair.  Several other police trucks have been seen plying the Moroto-Soroti route with loads of stones.  

URN area reporters have learnt that some of the stones are carried on behalf of one of the police bosses in Kampala. The sources however, declined to divulge details about the alleged police boss involved in marble trade.  

Mt Moroto Regional Police Commander Gerald Twishime acknowledges the stones are for personal use but declined to name the individuals involved. He, however, hastened to add that he is not directly involved in the supervision of the trucks.  

“Those are troop carriers and can be used for any activity. But why are you concerned? Has anyone lodged a complaint? For us, it won’t be an issue unless there is a formal complaint,” Twishime said.  

A number of government vehicles that operate or visit Karamoja end up carrying marble stones, charcoal or goats for personal use on their way to Kampala. Marble stones are used for construction works and making tiles.  

Samuel Logit, one of the artisanal miners in Rupa says the drivers of the police trucks pay between 150,000 to 300,000 Shillings for loading marble stones to the truck.  

Gerald Eneku, the inspector of mines in Karamoja says the marble stones cost about three million shillings per truck, on arrival to any town between Iganga and Kampala.