No fireworks on December 31 – North Kyoga Police chiefs

Any request made by hotel management will not be sanctioned, ASP Okema Jimmy told Journalists on Friday.

Lira – 25, December 2021: Managers of hotels, holiday centers, and bars are cautioned against shooting fireworks as people wait to enter New Year, 2022.

According to North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson ASP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the territorial police have banned fireworks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASP Okema was speaking to the press Friday at the Resident City Commissioner board room.

Okema says the national tasks force ruled it out because fireworks gather people together, and it will be an avenue for the increase of COVID-19.

Any request made by hotel management will not be sanctioned, he added.

During this festive season, Okema said Friday security is “very alert” and well prepared to protect the citizens, calling upon village leaders to liaise with the police and give them reports in case of any threats.

He cautioned people in the SAACOs against keeping a lot of money in the house to avoid theft, advising people to drink responsibly from their homes because bars are still not open.

What other Police chiefs say

The District Police Commander (DPC) Godfrey Abigaba, urged people in Lira City to be security conscious. “As the security, we are committed to providing security.”

Anna Lumumba, RDC Dokolo, said they are maintaining curfew time, and people should celebrate the day from their homes.

RDC of Otuke Christopher Omara assured people of security and peaceful celebration since they have added more police officers to carry out the foot and mobile patrols.

“We have had challenges on manpower and, recently, we got more than 14 police officers to the district,” he said in an interview.

With the numbers they now have on the ground, he assured locals of a peaceful celebration in Otuke district, revealing they have now heightened security alertness to strengthen communications.

Meanwhile, RDC Amolatar district, George William Wopuwa said: “Initially, we had 51 Police personnel which was not enough, and 25 extra are now added.”

The extra officers will help patrol and improve the security of the area, according to Wopuwa.

He asked people in trading centers like Namasale, Muntu, Etam, and Nabuyobo, where cattle theft is very high, to be vigilant and watch out for strangers.