Ochom in a letter dated February 22, 2021, to the Commander Kampala Metropolitan Police, Regional Police Commanders, District Police Commanders and all units also directed police alert squads to be sent out and that any officer who will not comply with the new instructions will have actions taken against them.
“As you are all aware, the curfew and the Covid-19 regulations are still in force. However, it has been observed that the bodaboda riders are no longer observing curfew time and they are seen riding through the night. Equally the vehicles are not observing curfew time of 9:00 pm and are seen all the times of the night,” Ochom noted.
He also noted that bars had not been allowed to operate but information pertaining is that some of the bars and discotheques are alleged to be protected by security personnel.
“These continued activities have enabled crimes to escalate and there are increased cases of domestic violence, murders and robberies. This is the time when crimes should be going down as we still have the support of other security agencies and Special Police Constables,” Ochom further stated.
In March last year, President Yoweri Museveni announced the closure of bars, schools and churches among others as a measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The President also imposed a 9:00 pm curfew.
Even though some of the restrictions were lifted, the curfew and closure of bars have since remained. However, so many bars and entertainment joints are still in operation.
With the declining cases of COVID-19 in the country, there have been calls to Government to lift all the restrictions that had been imposed.