By Spy Uganda
According to the statement released by the Uganda Police on the first 10 days which were marked yesterday off the current lockdown, hundreds of vehicles were impounded and thousands of people were arrested for violating the COVID-19 SOPs.
According to the police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, a total of 1445 people were arrested for flouting the lockdown and curfew provisions and out of these 766 lockdown offenders were cautioned, 490 released on police bond, pending 81 and 108 charged to court.
In addition, a total of 633 motor vehicles were impounded, out of which 283 were issued with EPS tickets, 306 were cautioned, 38 pending, unclaimed 04.
Also impounded were 3884 motorcycles, out of which 2706 were issued with EPS tickets, 398 are still pending, while 48 are still unclaimed.
“We continue with the lockdown and curfew provisions, aimed at curbing the transmission rates of COVID-19,” said Enanga in a statement.
Enanga adds that up to now, they still have some members of the public who are complacent and see the preventive SOPs as an over-reaction which according to him are very simple and straight.
He also noted that some members of the public are still engaging in high risk behaviors of; using boda bodas as passengers {early mornings, late evenings, and in remote areas}, motorists both private and public who fall outside the essential category, continue to violate the ban on their movements, non-essential businesses remain open past the curfew time, pedestrians move while maskless in public among other violations.
On there other hand, Police has warned LC1 chairpersons accusing them for abusing their power by issuing local clearance letters, for non-essential movements and or emergencies. “All confiscated letters are to be forwarded to the Inter Agency Task Force for a way forward,” adds Enanga.
Therefore, in a bid to fight the covid-19 pandemic, Police says they will continue to make adjustments in their enforcement measures, with the use of snap and impromptu checkpoints targeting motorists, working closely with KCCA, other City Authorities and URA to blacklist all non-essential business operating; imposing heavier fines and penalties on people holding gatherings etc.
“The stop and search operations against lockdown offenders are still ongoing. The public should know that the strict lockdown measures, like in many other countries, are aimed at tackling the spared of COVID-19. We urge them to remain extra vigilant and avoid events that are super spreaders,” says Police.
