Police alongside Military have been deployed on top of most Kampala city arcades after thier intelligence established that rioters were using them to aim at passing by security patrol teams with spears, bows and arrows and other sharp objects.
Patrick Onyango,the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson revealed that in the recent violent riots that happened in November 2020, in and around Kampala, intelligence and CCTV footage analysis have shown that the people who were commanding the rioters were operating from rooftops of arcades to give instructions to their people.
“They used the roof tops as observation posts to monitor movements of security personnel.A fort night ago, security personnel who were on a routine patrol, were pelted with stones that was coming from roof top of Nabukera Auto parts arcade”, he said.
Onyango added “on 11/1/2021, around 1830hrs at Kiseka, Kyaggwe Rd, security personnel who were on foot patrol were being pelted with stones. On checking they saw a man on roof top of one of the Arcade aiming at them with a bow and arrow. In self-defense they shot him and he was injured, later died at Mulago Hospital”.
He was identified as Mukiibi Elijah. The exhibits of bow and arrows were recovered and exhibited at CPS Kampala.
Following the above incidents, security agencies today held a meeting with the business community and arcade owners to find solutions on how to protect the buildings, business premises, traders, customers and security personnel.
The meeting was held at CPS Kampala Boardroom and was chaired by the Commander KMP, CP Moses Kafeero. It was attended by the Commander Military Police, Col. Keith Katungi and other senior security personnel.
The meeting resolved that, security should immediately take over and dominate all the roof tops of arcades and other raised buildings within Kampala Metropolitan policing area.
Security will have access control to the roof tops and only personnel in uniform will be allowed and there will be regulation of hawkers not to access the arcades.
For the smooth flow of business, both the business community and security pledged to work together for the development of the country.