Security forces have intensified patrols in the Kampala Metropolitan Area just a day before the swearing-in of President Yoweri Museveni for his seventh elective term.
Columns of armed police officers and soldiers were visible on the roads and alleys throughout the night, even in areas they rarely patrol. The security personnel often stopped individuals, especially young people, whom they deemed suspicious, and those who could not properly identify themselves were taken to police stations.
On Friday, the police spokesman, Mr Rusoke Kituuma, said they would deploy heavily and also carry out operations to ensure that the swearing-in event is held peacefully.
“The general public is encouraged to remain law-abiding at this moment when we are celebrating a national occasion,” Mr Kituuma said.
Mr Kituuma said they have also deployed traffic officers to ensure that motorists abide by the rules on eve and D-Day of the swearing-in.
“Since it is going to be a public holiday, some of the motorists tend to drink and drive. We shall not allow anyone to drive while drank,” he said. “Motorists are further urged to use the roads responsibly, avoid reckless driving and to comply with all temporary traffic diversions and restrictions that will be in place.”
The police have also put in place a traffic route plan on the day of swearing-in that will see some roads closed off from normal traffic to allow travel without hindrances. “Invited guests will access Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala via John Babiha Road (Acacia Avenue) through Elgon Terrace (Heroes Corner Gate),” Mr Kituuma said. The police will restrict the general public from using Ssezibwa Road at the Golf Course traffic lights to John Babiha Road (Acacia Avenue) to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Normal traffic will be affected on the road from Entebbe International Airport to Entebbe Express Highway, Northern Bypass, Yusuf Lule Road and Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The road from Munyonyo Spur will also be affected. “Vehicles will not be allowed to join Wampewo Avenue. Motorists will instead be diverted to Jinja Road to access Uganda Management Institute parking and Phaneroo Grounds,” he said. In the last general elections, the National Resistance Movement’s candidate, President Museveni, was declared by the Electoral Commission the winner with 71.65 percent of the votes, followed by the National Unity Platform leader, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, with 22.6 percent.
