UPDF: "Don't force us to deploy LDUs to enforce Covid-19 guidelines"

The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has warned Ugandans to adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines because they will not hesitate to return the Local Defence Unit (LDUs) on the streets to enforce these measures.

While addressing the media in Kampala, the UPDF spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso, said with the recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the country, most Ugandans are becoming complacent in the fight against the pandemic.

She said given the situation, the army maybe forced to fully return the LDUs personnel to help in the enforcement of the guidelines.

"When you move into the public, you find that most cases people have forgotten the Covid-19 standard operating procedures. If it continues like this ,we shall be left with no option but to bring back LDUs,"she said.

Byekwaso said despite the refresher training the LDUs underwent, the public has to adhere to the ministry of Health guidelines on Covid-19.

"Of course we have trained them. We instructed them on how to handle civil policing, military law and a wide spectrum of things,"she said.

She revealed that some people are entering the country illegally with the help of security of forces.

"This can't happen without the help of the security forces because these borders are guarded.This is just to sound a warning to security officers that they are abating a crime. Whoever is caught will definitely be apprehended and prosecuted,"she said.

Local Defence Unit personnel have in several parts of the country been accused of assaulting and torturing members of the public. In some cases, they have killed people.

This prompted President Museveni who is also the commander in chief of the UPDF to withdraw the LDUs. They were taken for a refresher course on how to handle the members of the public among others.

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