Rogue security officers breaking into homes to enforce curfew face arrest
Video grab: Security operatives seen ordering a family to enter their house as they enforced a curfew declared by President Museveni recently. PHOTO| NTV
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 before adding 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.
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Mr 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 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.
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UPDF soldier attacked while enforcing curfew
It is alleged that a gang of youth attacked the officer and hit him with a blunt metalic object which left him with a fracture on his left arm
