After President Museveni on Monday declared a 14-day curfew starting March 31, 2020 in a bid to contain further spread of coronavirus, there have been several reports of security agencies breaking into people’s homes and battering them in the pretext of enforcing the presidential directives in different parts of the country.
However, the army has warned of dire consequences against such “rogue security elements.”
The joint security forces on Friday said the role of enforcing the curfew in Kampala metropolitan area (Kampala, Mukono, Mpigi and Wakiso districts) lies with the police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Local Defence Units (LDU).
“It has come to the attention of the Joint Security Forces that rogue elements are breaking into people’s homes and beating them up while masquerading as security personnel enforcing the curfew. Those being tempted to do so must stop forthwith before they are arrested,” said the army spokesperson, Brig Gen Richard Karemire.
Brig Karemire added that GISOs and reservists, among other security agencies have not been enlisted in the enforcement of the curfew.
This was after photos and videos showing LDUs and other security personnel battering people in their homes were widely shared in the media.
Brig Karemire, however, said the security forces on duty have been briefed not to enter people’s homes and compounds purporting to be enforcing the curfew.
“Enforcement is only limited to the restriction of movement beyond home during curfew time,” he said before warning civilians against attacking security Forces on duty.
“There have been reports of some indisciplined people pelting stones at Forces on patrol. This must stop and anyone doing it will be promptly apprehended. This pandemic poses an existential threat. There is no alternative to total compliance with all directives and guidance from government,” he said.