25 taxi touts arrested for defying presidential directives

Mbarara, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Police in Mbarara has arrested 25 taxi touts for defying presidential directives.

Following the suspension of public transport over Covid-19, President Museveni banned touts from the parks as a measure of curtailing the spread of the virus. 

The touts were arrested in an operation conducted on Wednesday by police at the Mbarara Taxis/Bus Park and along High Street.

Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson said the operation that mainly focused on touts in the main business centre is implementing the presidential directives.

He says these will be charged with Disobedience of lawful orders as per the presidential directives.

Emmy Turyabagyenyi Katera, Deputy Resident District Commissioner says the arrested will be subjected to COVID-19 tests before they are arraigned in courts of law.

Milton Kathsi, chairperson Mbarara Taxi Park says they have warned the touts to stay away from the parks but have ignored their warnings.

Last week, more than one hundred vehicles were impounded in Mbarara after the owners defied the curfew. The government maintained a night-time curfew starting 7 p.m to 6:30 a.m to combat the spread of COVID-19.  

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