68 Arrested for Violating Covid-19 Guidelines in Karamoja

Police in Karamoja have arrested 68 people across the region for violating a curfew imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

 

President Museveni last week ordered a  near-total lockdown and banned social gatherings, directing every citizen to be at their homes by 7pm till 5am.  

He also banned the use of private vehicles, bars, clubs and directed the police and army to ensure that they implement the guidelines by penalizing those found violating the guidelines.  

Michael Longole, the Karamoja regional police spokesperson told URN that they have 68 people including teenagers in various police cells, arrested during the implementation of Covid-19 guidelines cross the nine districts of Karamoja. 

 

“We have them in our custody but the children we have pardoned and cautioned them not to loiter again during the curfew hours,” he said.  

He said they have also arrested 37 boda boda motorcyclists of whom 16 have been given tickets to pay penalty whose value he didn’t disclose.  

Mr Longole added that they have also impounded 2 private vehicles and parked them at police pending the next action to be taken.

John Nangiro, one of the residents appealed to the public to adjust their lifestyle just for a short time to see how the disease can be controlled.  

“For me I don’t have kind words for those arrested while drinking during curfew hours because it’s all about our health not for anyone,” he said.  

Jessica Naputuka, another resident of Katange in Moroto Municipality however, appealed government to distribute relief food for the most affected families in Karamoja adding that many families in the region have been surviving through brewing which has also been blocked. 

 

“We are dying, government needs to support most of the affected families with relief food for this period of the lockdown," she said.

End