Africa-Press – Uganda. A routine police operation in Buikwe District Tuesday night saw the law enforcement agency encounter many Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) officers who were found ‘drinking’ at Facebook Bar along the Njeru-Kayunga Road.
The UPDF officers, who initially refused to identify themselves were later tasked to explain what they were doing in a ‘‘wrong place and at the wrong time’’ but after a long standoff, they said they were on ‘special duties’.
Their identification confirmed that they were UPDF officers with one at the rank of a Major.
The police were enforcing government issued curbs, including closure of bars, aimed at combatting the spread of Covid-19.
Ms Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident.
“It is true. While our officers were enforcing Covid-19 guidelines, they came across officers from our sister security agency (UPDF) drinking in a bar yet they are supposed to be exemplary,” she said.
She added that after the UPDF officers attached to the National Defence College in Buikwe District identified themselves, one escaped while the rest were cautioned.
Ms Butoto reasoned that being an essential worker does not put one above the law, adding that ‘‘60 people were arrested and are being detained at Njeru Central Police Station (CPS) awaiting charges ranging from violating Covid-19 guidelines, prostitution and disobeying the curfew.
Some of the suspects arrested for violating Covid-19 guidelines during a police operation on the night of August 24, 2021. PHOTO/DENNIS EDEMA
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