A total of 857 persons were arrested countrywide for flouting the lockdown and curfew restrictions last week, police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said on Monday.

Enanga said 600 motor vehicles were impounded, out of which 493 motor vehicles were issued with Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) tickets, while 107 are still pending clearance.

A total of 2,762 motorcycles were impounded out of which 2,430 were issued with EPS tickets, while 332 are still parked at different police stations and pending clearance, Enanga revealed.

“This morning we have impounded several motor vehicles and motorcycles and disrupted movements of persons trying to breach the new lockdown measures with all forms of excuses to move. You should expect more search and stopovers of motorists and pedestrians, with security personnel demanding an explanation about why they are out and about,” he stated.

Enanga said they have all along been pleading with the public to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), but they have now reached a stage where the endless reminders must stop in exchange for stricter enforcement.

For emphasis, he added, all frontline officers have been given guidelines to follow at checkpoints and how to verify the bar codes or all stickers issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Therefore, Enanga said, the ban on movements of public transport like buses, taxis, boda-bodas, and private cars still stands. “However exceptional grounds will be granted when transporting patients who require medical care or evacuation.”

In addition, he said boda bodas are strictly allowed to carry only merchandise and food items within the time limits of 5.30 am to 5:00 pm.

“The task teams at all checkpoints will verify the status of the authenticity of travel authorisations by scanning the embedded QR codes,” said the police publicist.

All cargo trucks shall continue operating while delivering food and essential commodities, but they should strictly carry two persons including the driver.

Enanga urged cargo tracks moving in and out of Uganda to park at designated areas and not within trading centres.