Fred Enanga revealed that they have directed all their frontline officers to increase checks and raids in a bid to counter all defaulters of the curfew timings of 9 pm – 6 am.
The Police has once again issued a reminder to all Ugandans that curfew measures still stand warning that they are going to impose heavy penalties on any defaulter.
In a statement dated 1st March 2021, the police spokesperson, Fred Enanga revealed that they have directed all their frontline officers to increase checks and raids in a bid to counter all violators of the curfew timings of 9 pm – 6 am.
Enanga noted with concern that they are targetting boda boda riders who are operating past their stipulated time. He said that many have also been spotted in recent weeks carrying more than one passenger.
“We are targetting bars, discotheques, concerts and related entertainment, public gatherings of not more than 200 persons, motorists who are not observing the load capacity of 70% especially in taxis, mini-buses and buses as well as saloon cars.”
“As for bodabodas, their timing of 6pm still stands. Therefore, all those riders and passengers who continue to take advantage of the curfew time, should anticipate, disruptions in their movements. Some of the bodabodas switch off lights and ride under the cover of darkness, which places other road users, the rider and the passengers at greater risks,” Enanga revealed.
Also, he said that the movement of trucks carrying sand shall also be disrupted due to ongoing search operations, following intelligence that they were facilitating burglaries and housebreakings through the transportation of stolen household properties.
The police spokesperson explained that the non-compliance to the curfew timings has allowed for crimes to start creeping back slowly including aggravated robberies, theft of boda bodas and murders among others.
He, however, indicated that the start of this month will see the police tighten its measures to get all parties back on track in a bid to deter any lapses that might result in the further spread of the COVID-19.
“Although there’s much anxiety and lockdown fatigue, the public should be encouraged by the decrease in caseload due to the efforts from Ministry of Health. However, the rates of recoveries are still low. There are also threats of new variants on the African Continent which calls for vigilance,” Enanga indicated.
“The curfew enforcement will continue this week, with penalties for those found breaching the rules, including charging them to court under section 117 of the Penal code act, for negligent acts likely to spread an infectious disease and disobedience of lawful orders under the public health controls. We urge all Ugandans to follow the Covid-19 protocols of wearing a face mask; observe proper hygiene, social distancing and the curfew timings,” he added.
