Thirty arrested in city center operation to enforce lockdown

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Thirty people were yesterday arrested in the central business district as police resumed lockdown enforcement operations in Kampala city.

On June 18, President Museveni ordered a second nationwide lockdown following a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. The President also banned people from going to the city center and businesses in the area were told to stop operating for the 42 days of lockdown.

However, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said Wednesday’s operations were as a result of many people who had started flocking Kampala city center while others had started opening up their shops despite the closure on most businesses.

Consequently, police led by the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Denis Namuwoza raided several places in the city, arresting 30 who were found operating in Nasser road and Nkurumah road in Kampala while others were cautioned and asked to go home.

“We were checking on different things, including social distancing, after realizing that many people have started flocking into the city center yet they are not among the essential  workers,” said Owoyesigire. “Likewise, these 30 were found in buildings working and these have been detained at CPS.”

Meanwhile during the same operations, about 50 motor vehicles were also impounded in areas of Wandegeya, Katwe as the operation of checking the compliance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures and the ban on transport means continues.

Early this week, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said in the remaining few days of the lockdown, security will ensure strict adherence to the standard operating procedures as many people tend to relax.

The number of new Covid-19 infections has gone down gradually since the announcement of the lockdown of the country by government last month.

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