Crime
Police cautions Ugandans against interrupting the lockdown as 1,425 are arrested in one week
Ugandans have been cautioned against interrupting the lockdown in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, and stop it from coming back with a high price.
The call was made by CP Fred Enanga, during the joint security weekly press conference at the Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday.
According to Enanga, there are some people who have given up due to the lockdown Fatigue. He says these have returned to their lives and are mindless of the SOPs.
In the course of last week alone, a total of 1,425 persons were arrested countrywide for flouting the lockdown and curfew provisions, 825 were cautioned 164 released on police bond, 116 pending court and 320 charged to court; then 786 motor vehicles were impounded, out of which 497 were issued with EPs tickets, 134 motorists were cautioned and their cars released, 155 are still parked/unclaimed.
Meanwhile police also impounded a total of 4314 motor cycles, out of which 2878 were issued with EPs tickets, 935 riders were cautioned and their motorcycles released, while 501 motorcycles are still parked or unclaimed.
“We continued to enforce the stringent lockdown measures because it works. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Joint Task Force has played a crucial role in supporting the Ministry of Health regulations, to help control the disease and promote a safer community” Enanga said.
He further warned that with the additional tools of enforcement in form punishments under the New Public Health Orders, they will be arresting people moving mask less in public, escapees from isolation or quarantine centres stealthily, opening banned activities, non-essential motor vehicles, hawking and street vending, selling of non-food items, who are all liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two months.
“The only way to avoid any disruptions and inconveniences is to behave responsibly, limit movements and gatherings as guided. Remember as Law Enforcement, we have a duty to protect the lives of all Ugandans and visitors to the country. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with stricter enforcement for the good of our citizens” Enanga noted.
The country has registered some decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases registered in the last week and information from the Health ministry also indicates an increase in the number of recoveries.
Ugandans have been advised to go for vaccination in order to reduce their chances of dying from the disease.
Currently, Uganda has 84,116 cumulative cases of COVID-19, 1,099 admissions at Health facilities, 1,966 deaths and 56, 338 cumulative recoveries. 1, 027,036 vaccine doses have also been administered since March 10th 2021, when the exercise was rolled out.
