FESTIVE SEASON: Museveni orders police to reinstate roadblocks
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, during the period when the roadblocks were removed, it had given a vacuum to criminals and wrong elements to commit crimes and transport stolen items.
Police has reinstated roadblocks and checkpoints on all highways and major roads in the country to curb cases of criminality and recklessness of drivers during the Christmas season and New Year’s eve.
The decision came as guidance from President Yoweri Museveni who communicated through the IGP Martin Okoth Ochola and instructed the Director of Operations to reinstate all police roadblocks and checkpoints on major roads around the country.
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, during the period when the roadblocks were removed, it had given a vacuum to criminals and wrong elements to commit crimes and transport stolen items.
“On the side of traffic, the removal of roadblocks had allowed drivers to drive recklessly and cause accidents, especially in dark spots. In view of this, and security during Christmas, as well as the beginning of the year 2023, we have reinstated roadblocks and checkpoints with immediate effect in dark areas and spots guided by intelligence incidents,” he said.
Enanga noted that all territorial units have been tasked to ensure that all major roads and highways are safe, and use checkpoints to arrest traffic violators, child traffickers, robbers and other violent criminals, especially now as we enter the festive season.
“The roadblocks and checkpoints will have an officer in charge of making operational decisions of making command, protection, search and intelligence. In addition, they have been tasked to remain vigilant for crime prevention, crime deterrence and terror operations,” he added.
Patrols in different areas according to Enanga will be surveying these checkpoints and supported by very robust standing point teams, to avoid the incidence of Luwero where officers manning a checkpoint were attacked.
It should be recalled that in October this year, President Museveni directed that all roadblocks be removed from highways in the country, so as to ensure the smooth movement of goods and services.
In addition to this, members of the public for several years had complained about roadblocks being used by security personnel and robbers disguised in security attires, to either solicit bribes from them or rob their property.
