The public has been cautioned about attacks on security officials.
Members of the public have been urged by security institutions not to harm security agents who are enforcing the curfew period.
Members of the public have been urged by security institutions not to harm security agents who are enforcing the curfew period.
In the Kampala metropolitan areas, police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) say they have recorded more than four incidents of civilians attacking security personnel enforcing the curfew, which begins at 6:00 p.m. for motorbikes and 7:00 p.m. for all vehicles and persons, with the intent of disarming or injuring them, in the last week.
During a security press briefing at Police Headquarters Naguru-Kampala, Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said a boda-boda rider Robert Jumba stabbed a Local Defence Unit personnel-LDU Paul Akol during curfew time at Keti Farawo in Kawempe division over the weekend.
The culprit was ultimately apprehended, and his motorcycle, registration number UEK 720B, was seized by a squad of officers from Kawempe police station, who also rescued their colleague and took him to a nearby hospital in severe condition, where he is now recovering from his injuries.
“When the LDU officer stopped him, he drew a knife from his jacket and stabbed him twice, but luckily, other officers were nearby and came to his rescue; they arrested him trying to flee after this incident, and our officer was rushed to Makuru health clinic where he is still undergoing medical treatment,” Enanga said.
In Makindye division, a boda–boda cyclist was lynched by a crowd after allegedly stabbing and critically injuring a police officer. On Friday, an unidentified individual allegedly assaulted and stabbed police officer Ismail Menjar, who was on duty enforcing Covid-19 curfew standards. Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu, UPDF Deputy Spokesperson, says the UPDF has continued to receive reports of persons attempting to attack or attacking security patrols of night curfew enforcement teams, particularly in Kampala and Wakiso districts.
When law enforcement agents stormed a bar in Buziga-Gaba, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso district, a group of people who were caught drinking attempted to disarm UPDF members at around 10:00 p.m.
To disperse the crowd, the officers resorted to fire rounds into the air, according to Kakurungu. He does warn, however, that such tactics are risky because officers will retaliate in self-defense.
“We continue to receive reports of people attacking our teams during operations, and others hurling stones at patrollers,” Kakurungu said. “In Gaba, officers had to shoot to disperse similar hooligans, and one of them was hurt in the process.”
Boda-boda riders and certain persons who continue to go to bars beyond curfew time, according to Enanga, are the main perpetrators of these crimes.
On the 4th of October, a DPC in Nsangi shot and killed John Kalumba, claiming that he was among a gang of persons that attempted to attack him after they were discovered in one of the township’s pubs.
As one of the steps to restrict the spread of COVID-19, President Yoweri Museveni, following on advice from the ministry of health, maintained the 6pm and 7pm curfews for motorcycles and drivers, respectively.
More than 70 attacks by citizens against security enforcement agents, including Uganda Police, UPDF, and LDU’s, were recorded during last year’s lockdown.