Police Cautions Public on Possible Criminality During New Year’s Celebrations

Just days to the end of 2018, Police say they are to deploy heavily on several highways and roads in the country to curb any form of criminality that may arise due to New Year’s excitement.

World over, thousands of revelers throng recreation centres and other places to celebrate the end of year and welcome the new one in numerous ways of expressing joy, as well as displaying fireworks and because of the excitement, some motorists evade traffic rules and cause accidents.

In a statement by the Police Spokesperson, SSP Emilian Kayima, on guidelines to be followed during the display of fireworks across the country, revealed that Uganda officers will be alert on roads to effect and traffic rules.

“Motorists across the country should exercise discipline on the road to avoid causing accidents. Our traffic teams and the High Way Traffic Patrol Unit are fully briefed and deployed to oversee everyone’s safety and security on the roads and highways,” said Kayima

Kayima also cautioned members of public who burn tyres in the middle of roads, saying it has consequences.

He also asked the public to remain security conscious during the celebrations, saying that people with ill intentions could use the opportunity to execute their missions.

“The public should be careful and sensitive to what actually happens as we welcome the new year. Some criminal elements might attack and injure or kill their victims whose alarms might be mistaken for the excitement welcoming the new year,” added Kayima.

During the celebrations to welcome 2018, matchete wielding men carried out attacks in Greater Masaka.

On New Year’s Day of 2018, five people were killed in the districts of Bukomansimbi and Lwengo districts in Greater Masaka area, including a 63-year-old retired police officer, SSP Dennis Sebugwawo Lumala.

Read More: Police Report Spike in Murder Cases During New Year’s Fever

At the time, Kayima said that “we suspect that these criminals took advantage of the noises made during the New Year celebrations at midnight to attack their targets”.

On Friday, Police revealed that only 762 places have been cleared to display fireworks across the country and given strict guidelines to follow.