FESTIVE SEASON MESSAGE

Uganda Police Force welcomes you into the festive season. We are nearing the Christmas day as well the new year 2025.

Uganda Police Force (UPF) hereby notifies the population that we are doing everything within our means to ensure that the people navigate through the festive season peacefully.

CELEBRATIONS, EXCITEMENT AND FUNFAIR

Festive seasons are usually characterized by excitement and funfair. Families re-unite and get together. These interactions are often celebratory in nature.  Some families opt to go for outings. During these outings, houses at times are left unattended.  In addition, these interactions are characterized with high incidences of alcohol consumption. Police tend to register a spike in assaults, affray, battery offences, domestic violence and house break-ins/ burglaries.

Criminal attacks come un predictably and unexpectedly. We therefore urge the Wanainchi to embrace the neighborhood watch to enhance security within their communities. This initiative is anchored on vigilance, connectedness and information sharing. People Liaise with police and keep in close contact. In such circumstances we rely on connectivity between the police and you the community.

FIREWORKS

UPF receives requests for permission to blast fireworks from hotels, entertainment centers, areas of worship among others to celebrate the entry into the new year.

Those who intend to apply for fireworks display should take note of the following:

1. All parties intending to display fireworks shall apply to the Inspector General of Police for permission.
2. If the permission is granted the successful applicant will be required to advertise his/her permission in both print and electronic media.
3. Fireworks materials shall only be purchased from licensed vendors.
4. Display of fireworks shall be limited to only 05 minutes from the time of the first blast.
5. All fireworks materials shall be escorted and secured by police
6. Fireworks shall be blasted by a person(s) with explosives’ blaster license and under the supervision of police.
7. Venues where fireworks will be displayed shall be inspected and their suitability ascertained by the area District/ Division Police Commander (DPC).
8. The area DPC will reserve the powers to stop the display of fireworks on venues he/she finds in violation of guidelines in his/her area of responsibility.

MUSIC SHOWS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS

There are several entertainment and music events/shows that are organized by events’ organizers and musicians during the festive season. All music shows shall be regulated and will be required to adhere to the following guidelines;

1. Event organizers to seek clearance from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to hold events.
2. Organizers of events shall be required to jointly plan for the security of their events with the district security, other regulatory authorities and stakeholders.
3. Host venues shall meet safety requirements set by police and other regulatory authorities such as having emergency exits, assembly points, emergency firefighting equipment.
4. Venues shall not host numbers beyond their capacity. Overcrowding of venues is prohibited.
5. flammable materials to public gatherings are discouraged.
6. Other guidelines shall be issued by the area police commanders based on their appreciation of the venues and events.

PRAYER SESSIONS

The festive season will also be characterized by prayer sessions which will climax on the Christmas day and the eve of new year. These sessions will attract large congregations and run for longer sessions than usual e.g. running into the night (Overnight prayers)

Organizers of these sessions shall be required to co-plan with the district security committees to ensure that congregations are secure and safe.

INCREASE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS

During festive season, we anticipate an influx of persons to towns and cities and similarly expect to register increased volume of traffic to rural areas. There is also an expected spike in influx of tourists and an outflux of citizens going for holidays and tours abroad.

There is usually a spike in traffic both on road and water. Amidst that spike, we tend to register frequent cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading of passengers and goods, reckless driving, inconsiderate use of the road and buses violating route charts,

In addition, Motorists are fond of drive carelessly a number of them talking on phones, texting, taking videos and snap shots while driving. These illegal tendencies are not only a danger to the perpetuators but to innocent victims such as pedestrians, passengers and other road users.

Motor cyclists often violate a number of regulations notably the requirement put on helmets.

On water bodies, there is a common tendency to overload boats, Ignoring the safety requirements such as having life jackets and to operate boats that are water worth.

As a result, Uganda Police Force and other sister regulatory agencies are going to step up enforcement against traffic violations;

1. We shall step up operations on speeding, reckless driving
2. We shall conduct drink drive operations. We shall direct our effort to drivers of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and test them for alcohol/drugs on our check points across the country.
3. Look out for ineligible drivers on the roads by checking for validity of their driver’s licence and driver badges for bus drivers.
4. Enhancing operations on boda-boda riders targeting those without safety gear (helmets, reflector jackets)
5. Step up Inspecting of vehicles by the Inspector od Vehicles (IOVs) to ascertain road worthiness targeting trucks, buses, and taxis.

FIRE INCIDENTS

The festive season brings joy and celebration, but it also increases the risk of fire incidents in homes, public places, and during activities such as fireworks displays. The Uganda Police Force urges everyone to prioritize fire safety.

SHOPPING

In addition, we have already observed an increase in shopping. There is a spike of cash transactions as a result holiday spending, increased social gatherings, and the general excitement of individuals. Cash is transacted both online and in hard cash therefore criminals find this influx as an opportunity to target the population. We anticipate an increase in offences associated with financial transactions.

GENERAL CRIME

Festive seasons are associated with high risk of general crimes such as theft of animals triggered by the increase of their demand, burglaries as criminals target houses that are left unattended by occupants.

We have placed our personnel at a high level of alertness to respond to crimes in neighborhoods and urban setups.

TERRORISM

Uganda is one of the countries at the front of fighting global terrorism. Our country faces threats from Terrorist organizations.

We have put our personnel on a high level of alert to detect crime and avert potential threats.

We equally urge the population to team up with security forces in ensuring safe neighborhoods.

The following are our telephone contacts in the event of emergencies and incidents that require our response. These telephone contacts are available 24hrs a day, seven days a week:

1. 999: This contact can be called from any part of the country
2. 0779 999 999: This is a WhatsApp line for all police incidents.
3. 0800199099: is a toll-free line for all traffic incidents all over the country.
4. 0800121222: Toll-free line for all fire incidents and emergencies.

POLICE CONTACTS AT REGIONS AND CENTRAL POLICE STATIONS

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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