At least 2124 people spent their weekend in various police cells after they were arrested for flouting curfew time rules.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said joint security operations arrested people on roads driving or riding past curfew time, which is 9pm to 5am, while many others were picked from bars.

Military, Local Defence Units -LDUs and police mounted roadblocks on all major access routes where 445 riders and 2088 cars were impounded. Unlike the previous operations where only vehicles could be impounded, security have resolved to arrest the drivers and riders but also impound the vehicles.

Enanga said all the people who are arrested driving or riding past curfew time as well those who were found boozing in bars will be arraigned before courts of law by close of this week. Security has warned that the operations will not stop thus reminding people to plan their movements early enough.

“People have the perception that we have gone back to normal. We see large congregations at worship centres, arcades and public transport where drivers are carrying at 100 percent capacity. Boda-Bodas are also not following SOPs. People have been going to bars which are still under locked down. People are not wearing masks. If there is non-compliance, we come in as security to enforce these SOPs,” said Enanga.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni acting on guidance from ministry of health few months ago declared a 6pm and 9pm curfew for motorcyclists and drivers respectively. Entertainment as well as leisure places like bars, discos and music concert venues have remained closed since March 2020.

Assistant Inspector General of Police –AIGP Edward Ochom who is also the director operations services in police force, on Friday warned that commanders who are not enforcing COVID-19 SOPs will be arrested and charged.

Ochom’s warning has since forced police commanders to become more tough while enforcing COVID-19 SOPs. Enanga said security will continue enforcing all the SOPs unless the government declares otherwise.

Museveni on Saturday warned Ugandans to respect measures intended to prevent the spread of Covid19. The government has spotted Kampala City, Wakiso and Mukono district as area with highest concentration of new COVID-19 variance.

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