By Robert Segawa
As the festive season approaches, police have issued a stern warning to the public to remain vigilant in the face of escalating criminal activity. Kituuma Rusoke, the police spokesperson, highlighted that the holiday period is often marked by a rise in criminal acts, including house break-ins, burglaries, robberies, and thefts.
Speaking during the release of festive season guidelines, Rusoke emphasized the need for widespread public participation in crime prevention efforts. “We want full public participation in the fight against crime during the festive season,” he urged, calling on citizens to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
The police also issued several specific guidelines for public safety, especially concerning the New Year celebrations. Rusoke reminded those planning to display fireworks that they must first obtain permission from the Inspector General of Police. “The fireworks display should not exceed five minutes and must be conducted under police supervision,” he said.
In addition, Rusoke warned that only licensed vendors are authorized to sell fireworks, and any display must be coordinated with proper legal procedures. Successful applicants for fireworks permits are required to advertise their approval in both print and electronic media to ensure full transparency.
Event organizers were also given strict instructions, particularly concerning concerts and public gatherings. No musical events should take place without prior clearance from the Inspector General of Police. Organizers were cautioned against allowing dangerous items such as flammables and glass bottles into concert venues, as these could potentially be used as weapons if tensions rise.
To further safeguard public safety, Kituuma stressed the importance of collaborating with local authorities, including Regional Police Commanders, Division Police Commanders, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs). They must ensure that emergency doors, medical facilities, and ambulances are on standby in case of incidents, such as stampedes.
The police also reminded organizers not to allow underage children into events and urged them to enforce strict crowd control to avoid exceeding the venue’s maximum capacity.
“We want to ensure that everyone enjoys the festive season safely,” Kituuma concluded, reinforcing the message of vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement.
