For a long time now, Ugandans have failed to observe specific directives by President Museveni on COVID-19, and the police had also let them proceed with it, making it a normal situation.
While Boda Boda’s are supposed to stop at 6:00 pm, and other motorists at 9:00 pm to allow curfew proceed to 6:00 am, none of these has been happening.
Several Boda Bodas have been spotted even after midnight, while other motorists including commuter taxis have been plying their respective routes past 11:00 pm.
However, during a media briefing yesterday, police decreed they would re-install roadblocks to re-enforce the Standard Operating Procedures as pronounced by President Museveni.
These among others included strict adherence to the curfew rules of 9:00 pm to 6:00 am.
“We have realized most of the people are not adhering to the guidelines. Motorists and businesses are not respecting the 9 pm curfew time. Boda Boda riders are not respecting the 6 pm time. Motorists are carrying passengers in a reckless manner. Curfew starts at 9 pm but you find shops and other businesses still open past this time,”Enanga said.
Enanga claimed the public has gravely abused the grace period given by the police.
Following the police announcement, people all over the city were engaged in a rush hour, dashing home to survive curfew.
“Nambole end is a dead end, we have been in a traffic jam for two hours just in a distance of 100meters” a motorist tweeted at 11; 00 pm, two hours after curfew time.
"So @PoliceUg it's just about 66mins left to curfew time. What are you going to do? No one intends to stay in this kind of traffic. Monday's are just bad days Kampala," another tweep claimed.
“Soldiers have just left our shop, they say its curfew time, but this has been the time when we get most customers,” another tweep stated at 9:50 pm, 50 minutes after curfew time.
Replying to concerns, AIGP Asan Kasingye said the police would factor it in during tonight's operations.
"True. The jam was tough. I am sure this will be factored in tonight. However, it’s always better to plan early," he said.
