COVID-19: Presidential Directive Begin To Bite As Police Arrests 500

BY ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| When he addressed the clergy as he held the third National Thanksgiving Prayers at State House Entebbe, President Museveni directed the Inspector General of Police John Martins Okoth Ochola to strictly enforce the COVID 19 SOPs to the later.

Similarly, Ochola issued a directive to all his commanders urging them to implement the COVID 19 directives to the dot. Now the effects of this enforcement have begun following the arrest of over 500 people in Kampala at the weekend.

Kampala Metropolitan Police in a statement issued on Monday said that that had in an operation arrested more than 500 people at the weekend in renewed operations against breach of Ministry of Health directives on prevention of coronavirus.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said more than 200 people found in bars were arrested in areas of Kabalagala in Makindye Division, Kira Road in Nakawa Division, and Nansana Municipality.
“Some suspects were found in bars that were closed since they can’t enable social distancing. Others were in gambling shops. People were walking or riding motorcycles in disregard of the curfew,” said Onyango.

Onyango’s remarks come after a warning by ICT Minister Judith Nabakooba against disrespecting the COVID 19 guidelines. Nabakooba during a presser at the Uganda Media Center said President Museveni had directed that boda bodas stop any travels at 6 pm while all motorists cease any movements past the 9 pm curfew time.

“Bars are illegally operating; people are attending weddings and funerals in large numbers without masks and social distancing. It is on this basis that President Museveni has directed the enforcement of strict Covid-19 directives. Police have been instructed to enforce other existing guidelines such as curfew time for boda bodas, private and public transport, and others,” Ms. Nabakooba said.

Earlier today (Monday) police were seen along many roads entering Kampala checking on those without facemasks.

On Saturday night, police mounted roadblocks on Kampala-Gayaza Road where they arrested all non-essential motorists and passengers that were travelling during curfew time.
The suspects were forced to sit on the ground for hours before they were released after a caution.
At least 300 boda boda motorcycles were impounded on allegations that the riders were found riding past 7 pm.

Uganda currently has 2926 registered cases of COVID 19 cases with 29 deaths recorded so far. In the latest World Health Organisation Report, Uganda has been named among the fastest COVID 19 spreading countries in the continent with a 184% rising infection rates