In a joint communication shared by Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, security agencies said that much as security is alert since the revellers are very excited about the reopening of bars as well as other leisure and entertainment centres, each individual should be their own first line of safety.
Police have urged Ugandans to be careful and watch out for criminal gangs and terror
groups that might use the reopening of bars to wreak havoc. Bars that have been
under lock and key for close to two years have resumed operations today.
In a joint
communication shared by Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, security agencies said that much as security is alert since the revellers are
very excited about the reopening of bars as well as other leisure and entertainment
centres, each individual should be their own first line of safety.
Bar owners,
according to Enanga, should ensure that people accessing their premises are vaccinated
but they should also be thoroughly checked to avoid sneaking in dangerous
firearms and rudimentary weapons.
“Curfew is
no more and people are free to enjoy their nightlife. Already the information we
have is that people are excited over the resumption of night economy. But above
all, we should adhere to COVID-19 SOPs. Not all Ugandans are vaccinated,
if you go out to enjoy in bars be careful,” Enanga said.
//Cue in; “bananyini…
Cue out…obumala.”//
President Yoweri
Museveni closed bars in March 2020 in a bid to control the spread of COVID-91. Even
though several bars have been illegally operating, today marks the end of the two weeks period, after the reopening of schools that the president declared for them to resume operations.
A Security meeting
held in preparation for policing the night economy reported that all OCs and
DPCs have been urged to conduct impromptu visits to bars and purposely ensure
that they have among other things, security teams checking revellers, ensuring non-vaccinated people do not access venues and that each person washes their hands at the
entrance.
“Bars come
with excitement and it is rarely to keep social distance. Owners of these
places you are advised to ensure you have enough ventilation. Make sure you
have hand washing facilities. Ensure you have enough workers, experience and teach
them how to handle crowds,” Enanga said.
//Cue in; “although…
Cue out…movement.”//
Uganda registered
explosive incidents in October and November last year leaving nine people including four suspected suicide bombers dead. the attacks started on October 23 in Komamboga when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off
killing a female worker Emily Nyinaneza on spot.
Two days
later, another Idevise exploded inside Swift Bus killing a suspected bomber identified as Isaac
Matovu. The deadliest explosive went off November 16 at Kampala Central Police
and Parliamentary Avenue and this, killed Police Constable Amos Kungu,
boda-boda rider Ismael Basibe, George Katana and Christopher Sande.
Security has
also reminded revellers not to risk moving on motorcycles in the night because
they were left under a 7 pm curfew by president Museveni.
“Boda-boda curfew is
still on. Riders, passengers and revelers make sure you have cars. If you
expect to use Boda-boda starting at 8pm, we shall not allow this. Our security officers
will be on the roads to hunt for Boda-boda defying curfew. If you are going out
in the night, please use cars,” Enanga said.
Among the
night gangs, the public has been warned about is the gang terrorizing people at
Northern Bypass where at least two people have been killed by gangs throwing stones and pavers at vehicles.
Joseph Kato is currently a Master's candidate at Makerere University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University, a Diploma in Journalism and he's also a graduate in Guidance and Counseling.
