By Website Writer; The Police have allayed the fear of some members of the public after they expressed fear that the removal of roadblocks might open the floodgates for day and night robbers.
The Uganda Police Force has removed all roadblocks on all major highways following a presidential directive on zero barriers on the roads.
“We wish to inform the public and all stakeholders in the road sector that we have fully implemented the zero barrier/zero roadblock directive, on all major roads and highways, to effectively facilitate this free movement of goods and services,” Uganda Police statement in-part.
Integrated highway command challenges:
In December 2009, the Police introduced the integrated highway Police command. However, the unit became redundant as a result of manpower problems and the lack of funds.
The unit targeted to deploy between three to four Police personnel on foot patrols every two kilometers, while two police officers using motorcycles would patrol an area of 20km and those on cars 60km.
The unit also focused on areas known for crimes such as robberies and accident spots. Police officers working in the unit will be armed and equipped to respond to both crime and traffic accidents. They are expected to work closely with police posts in their areas of operation and mobile Police patrol.
Presidential directive:
Last week, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja revealed that the President had directed the removal of all roadblocks on the highways with immediate effect saying they hinder the free movement of goods and services across the East African Community member states.
Nabbanja said there are more than 39 roadblocks on the highways that impede the free movement of goods.
The President first banned roadblocks in 2014, but they were re-established in 2016 in a traffic operation dubbed Fika Salama.
President Museveni, however, again ordered their removal over corruption, but in 2020, they were again re-established during the enforcement of COVID-19 regulations, and many had not been removed.
Museveni, at the low peak of COVID-19, said roadblocks often cause more suffering to innocent people than eliminate criminals and criminal activities.
Police often globally set up roadblocks also called checkpoints where they stop and inspect all (or almost all) drivers and vehicles passing along a road.
But in the region, the roadblocks have been used to extort motorists.
Some rogue security personnel use the roadblocks to torture passengers who reportedly do not put on seat belts, impound overloaded vehicles, or those having mechanical or license or insurance challenges.
Some roadblocks have been used to check for undocumented immigrants but let go after paying a bribe.
At times, roadblocks have been used as sobriety checkpoints where officers check drivers operating under the influence of alcohol.
Enanga said the 60th Independence Day celebrations in Uganda held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, went on peacefully countrywide with no major unusual activities witnessed and recorded. He noted that the border areas with the DRC were peaceful although refugees keep moving into Uganda and back to the DRC.
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