IGP orders crackdown on bars operating during lock-down, enforcement of curfew starting tomorrow

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola has instructed that with effect from tomorrow Tuesday 13 October 2020, all territorial commanders to reinvigorate and intensify enforcement mechanisms on COVID19.

The development was communicated by Fred Enanga the police spokesperson during the weekly press conference at Uganda Media Center in Kampala, on Monday.

According to Enganga, in the last couple of months the force had asked people to use common sense in safe guarding themselves against the disease, but they are now putting emphasis on ensuring that all places that are still under lockdown remain so.

These include; Bars, open air markets and gyms among others.

“What we have realized is that there are some of these sectors that have been stealthily operating and yet they are still under the lockdown. People are sneaking into bars, having public gathering some markets which are not supposed to be operating like those dealing with non-essential items have also come out. So we are going to ensure that those sectors under the lockdown still remain under so” Enanga said.

Enanga added that they are going to look into the level of compliance by those sectors whose lockdown was lifted, ensure that the timings of 6:00pm for movement of boda bodas is strictly enforced, as well as enforcement of the curfew.

“What we have realized with the movement of public transport especially boda bodas is that most of them have ignored the 6pm timing that was given to them and continue to carry passengers in very reckless manner from 6pm up to almost 11pm. The same applies with all other motorists and businesses that are supposed to close at 9pm, because the curfew is supposed to start at 9pm. All this is going to change with effect from tomorrow” Enanga warned.

He noted that barriers and check points in Kampala and on highways will also be re-erected and manned 24/7 in a bid to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.