The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has clarified the deployment of Military Police officers at various checkpoints across the Kampala Metropolitan Area, saying the operation is aimed at restoring order on the roads and enforcing traffic regulations rather than targeting political actors.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, said the Military Police Brigade had joined hands with the Uganda Police Force to conduct an operation designed to enforce traffic discipline and curb criminal activities on the roads.
Magezi explained that the operation, which officially began on Monday, 9 March 2026, involves mounting checkpoints across different parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area where security personnel are inspecting vehicles and ensuring motorists comply with traffic laws.
According to the UPDF, the enforcement exercise is targeting several key violations including the use of vehicles without number plates, unregistered vehicles, and the illegal use of sirens by unauthorized motorists.
“The UPDF Military Police Brigade, working together with the Uganda Police Force, has embarked on an operation to restore sanity on Ugandan roads, ensure full compliance with traffic regulations by all motorists, impound unregistered or numberless vehicles, and curb the illegal use of sirens among other measures,” Magezi said.
He added that the security operation will remain in place for as long as necessary until authorities are satisfied that motorists are fully complying with traffic rules.
The UPDF spokesperson also dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that the sudden appearance of joint military and police checkpoints was intended to arrest opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Magezi described such claims as false insinuations meant to mislead the public.
“This is therefore to dismiss the insinuations from some quarters that the snap checkpoints mounted by the Military Police and Uganda Police traffic corps are an effort to apprehend NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. No one is looking for or interested in the NUP leader,” Magezi said.
He insisted that the purpose of the operation is purely law enforcement aimed at restoring discipline on the roads and ensuring motorists observe traffic regulations.
Magezi further noted that such operations are not new and have previously been implemented by security agencies to improve road safety and prevent criminal activities carried out using motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Authorities are now urging motorists across Kampala and surrounding areas to cooperate with officers deployed at the checkpoints.
Motorists and motorcyclists have been advised to comply with instructions issued by the Military Police and traffic officers to ensure the smooth running of the operation.