The Uganda Police Force has with immediate effect stopped mounting of any road blocks or barriers following a Presidential directive.
Last week, the Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni mentioned that erecting of roadblocks/ barriers has become an inconvenience to investors and traders alike.
She stated that this has frustrated the easy movement of goods and has led to unnecessary traffic jam on the road.
Nabbanja said while meeting Presidential chief executive officers’ forum in Kampala that the president implored her to liaise with security agencies to remove road blocks.
In response, the IGO Okoth Ochola has directed that all roadblocks should be removed and urged citizens to report any police officer who will be found manning any checkpoints so that commanders can take action.
“Following his excellency the president’s directive that there are many roadblocks in the country which jeopardize the free movement of goods and services among the East African Community members state, you are ordered to with immediate effect to remove all roadblocks and checkpoints including those of Fika Salama,” Ochola directive reads.
Police introduced Fika Salama checkpoints during the times of Gen Edward Kale Kayihura as IGP when road carnage became rampant especially on Kampala-Masaka, Mityana-Kassanda-Mubende and Gulu highways.
Security agencies especially Police and Army intensified roadblocks during Uganda’s two years of partial and total lockdowns intended to control the spread of Covid19.
Many of these roadblocks were maintained even after the country resumed full operations.