Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 Dormant Checkpoints Allow Free Vehicle Movement in Buikwe, Mukono :: Uganda Radionetwork
On a daily basis, traffic jam continues to increase along the main road of Kampala-Jinja Highway especially between the section of Seeta to Mbalala trading center, with majority of the private vehicles seen travelling lacking travel stickers or permits from any authorities.
Relaxed supervision of checkpoints in the two
districts of Mukono and Buikwe have propelled free movement of vehicles and
motorcycles before the official lifting of the 42 days’ lockdown.
President Yoweri Museveni ordered establishment of
strict checkpoints to stop unauthorised movement of people as well as reducing
congestion in public places.
Now the relaxation has also given momentum to a
number of businesses such as bars, trade zones and food markets within the two
district to resume and operate normally.
On a daily basis, traffic jam continues to increase
along the main road of Kampala-Jinja Highway especially between the section of
Seeta to Mbalala trading center, however majority of the private vehicles seen
travelling lack travel stickers or permits from local authorities.
URN has observed traffic officers manning various
checkpoints looking on as vehicles freely move to various destinations while
others spend most of their time scrolling on their smartphones
especially at the main checkpoint of Mukono located at Jobia stage.
The two checkpoints that had been established at the
border point between Mukono and Buikwe to stop inter-district movement were removed
and days pass without briefly mounting them.
Sharif Nsumba, a resident at Namagunga alleges that
traffic officers decided to remove the checkpoint after bodaboda riders and
trucker drivers severally threatened to knock them.
Moses Musasizi another resident at Mukono says
driving is much safer than traveling on a motorcycle either to work or
accessing basic necessities.
He notes that the 42 days seems simple but very hard
to people especially those with big families to stay at home without working.
//Cue in: “Tulina okunonyeza…
Cue out: …bwe mpolampola”//
The head of security in Mukono, Fatuma Ndisaba who is
also the Resident District Commissioner blames the lapse on security forces
for relaxing on their duties especially when it comes to monitoring and
implementing the standard operating procedures.
She wonders why they attend task force meetings and
at the end act differently, she also warns other traffic officers involved in
asking for bribes from travelers that they are forgetting their mandate.
//Cue in: “Okusinga nabantu…
Cue out: …nabo bangi”//
The Buikwe RDC Jane Francis Kagayi also attributes
laxity to security officers in charge of implementing the SOPs. She admits that
the task force is yet to cause the reprimand of officers acting contrary to the
presidential directives.
