Police raise concern over city markets' security

By Steven Candia

The police on Wednesday raised concern over the lack of security in many city markets, with a warning that wrong elements like terrorists could easily exploit the laxity to cause mayhem.

Police noted with the concern the glaring absence of even minimum security measures at the markets which does not portend well for security in light of the increased terror threats.

As such police held a meeting with the leadership of Kiseka market to chart a way forward on how to reinforce security at the facility in the wake of increased terror threats.

Police said security at the market that predominantly deals in car spare parts was of great concern given the number of people employed there and the huge number of vehicles that access and are parked the place, making it an easy target.

Matters at the market, police said, have been exacerbated by its porous nature given the numerous unmanned entry points, which can play to the advantage of any one harboring a sinister intention, terrorists inclusive.

“There are many security lapses at the market and that is what we came to assess and discuss with the leadership of the market to see how we can reinforce security there,” police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said after the meeting.

Also present at the meeting was Milton Kissa, an official from the police Counter Terrorism (CT) unit, Yodder Kyagulanyi, the LCI chairperson Nakivubo road zone and the market spokesperson Simon Peter Lubwama.

“There are no body searches and anyone access the market. There is no orderly parking and no security measures at the arcades,” Nabakooba said. In the meeting it was agreed that a series of sensitization meeting be conducted, starting with one on Friday for the market leadership and subsequent ones for the traders there.

“The meeting will be to sensitize them on security measure to be put in place at the market,” she said adding that she was impressed by the fact that the market leadership had taken it upon it self to profile every trader there.

During the meeting Kyagulanyi expressed willingness by the market leadership to team up with the police in light of the terrorist threats and showed Nabakooba a file with records of traders at the market, detailing their places of residence