Joseph Ayolo, Moroto – A section of Karamoja leaders have decided to shun using cement manufactured by Tororo Cement following the death of Mr. Simon Peter Aleper, the Vice NRM National Chairperson for Karamoja.
Mr. Aleper died on Tuesday morning while traveling to Kampala for the planned NRM CEC meeting.
The death of the prominent Mr. Aleper has left many questioning the circumstances surrounding his death after the police failed to locate the vehicle that was said to have collided with his.
On Saturday, the Karamoja local leaders called for a boycott of Tororo products in protest of President Museveni’s statement while mourning Mr. Aleper at the NRM office.
President Museveni is quoted as having blamed Mr. Aleper’s death on Mr. Albert Lokoru, the Member of Parliament for Tepeth County in Moroto District, who has been a vocal advocate for his constituents against exploitation by Tororo Cement.
The President suggested that if Mr. Albert had not frustrated investors in the district, Mr. Aleper would not have needed to travel for negotiations, during which he was involved in the accident.
However, the President’s statement has not been well received by regional leaders, who argue that Tororo Cement has been exploiting the people of Moroto for the past 20 years without offering any assistance.
Mr. Paul Lokol, the District Chairperson of Nabilatuk District, said he would mobilize the entire region to stop using cement manufactured by Tororo Cement, describing it as “blood cement.”
“Tororo has never agreed to engage with the leaders of Karamoja and always claims they are only answerable to the President,” he said.
Moses Lokut, another elder, stated that they would perform rituals and that anyone responsible for Mr. Aleper’s death would not remain unpunished.
The late Mr. Aleper will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kangole Boys in Kangole Town Council, Napak District.
