UPDF, Police search Moroto tycoon guest over Eritreans' clues
On Friday afternoon, the force also raided Obama's supermarket along Moroto-Kitale road; however, no links were established in the 10-hour search that involved the security beef up by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces-UPDF.
Police load recovered exhibits from the Eritrean former residence in Singila village onto their truck. (Credit: Olandason Wanyama)
By Olandason Wanyama
Journalists @New Vision
MOROTO - The Police subjected two guest houses operated by Moroto tycoon to a search and seizure for collaborative evidence, to strongly link the suspect to the trafficking of Eritreans to Uganda.
Both businesses are located in Moroto municipality along the Moroto–Kitale and Soroti road, respectively.
On Friday afternoon, the force also raided Obama's supermarket along Moroto-Kitale road; however, no links were established in the 10-hour search that involved the security beef up by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces-UPDF.
Justine Tuko, the Acting Moroto Resident District Commissioner, confirmed search of the property in separate areas.
"The investigations at the guest houses revealed no traces linking the suspect to the scene of crime," he revealed.
Various locations in the municipality, he added, will be searched subsequently.
However, Tuko noted that the police will also examine footage from the CCTV cameras in the municipality to ascertain the tycoon's movements in recent days.
Obama is currently detained at the Moroto central police station following a suspected partnership in human trafficking that saw 109 Eritreans arrive in Moroto on July 01, 2025.
On Tuesday evening, police intercepted a minibus with 72 Eritreans destined for Kampala.
The police, acting on a tip at Nadunget T-junction checkpoint, impounded the bus Reg. No. KAU 030U before permitting some to continue to Kampala.
Relatedly, the police have recovered 37 mattresses, assorted plastic containers and an assortment of electricals near one of the houses.
Also seized is a brand new generator, gas cookers/ cylinders, utensils and iron sheets used in the fabrication of an enclosure next to the guest house.
The items were recovered by the police as force detectives/investigators visited the scene of crime for reconstruction.
The exhibits were ferried to Moroto central police station for safe custody as the team dived into deeper inquiries following the illegal entry of Eritreans into Uganda.
Security sources revealed that over 50,000 Eritreans had settled in Uganda by December 2024 in the past decade, and sizable numbers are also in Sudan and Kenya.