Police deploys heavily on highways

Police has intensified patrols along major highways to stop errant drivers ahead of Christmas festivities.

Apart from the deployment of all personnel from the Highway Police Patrol Unit, three quarters of personnel from the Traffic Police Directorate are also on the highways to help direct traffic and maintain law and order.

The Inspector General of Police-IGP, Kale Kayihura, said the level of careless driving and drink driving as well as highway robberies is expected to increase hence the heavy deployments.

"There are people targeting this season to benefit from criminality but we have deployed enough especially on the highways, " Kayihura said.

"Our traffic officers are on high alert and deployed. We have already experienced a number of accidents in the last few days. "

Apart from the armed attack on Kalita bus in Mubende early this month, no other attack has been reported so far.

However, several accidents have been reported in the last two weeks.

Police has also relaxed its deployment in Kampala and Wakiso Districts because most people tend to travel to the villages to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Apart from Kampala and Wakiso districts, police commanders in other districts are on high alert to deploy personnel to handle the increased population in their areas.

"To help manage the security of the festive season, all personnel are on duty and no one is to be granted a pass leave," read the message in part.