City security tight

By Vision Reporters SECURITY was yesterday beefed up in Kampala and Entebbe ahead of tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony for President-elect, Yoweri Museveni at Kololo Airstrip. Police and Military Police were jointly deployed to patrol the city while a joint Police and UPDF detachment was stationed at Bwebajja to bolster security on the Kampala-Entebbe highway. "We have many activities going on in the city at this time. There is the Kololo swearing-in, the Movement delegates conference and the many visitors to our city," Benjamin Namanya, the new Mobile Police Unit chief, said in an interview. At least five heads of state are expected to witness the swearing in. Preparations for the occasion were in high gear, with the cleaning and repairing of city roads. A team of workers from the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) and KCC helped fix security lights around dark city areas. Hundreds of new Ugandan and Libyan flags were lined on electric poles and on buildings. Other flags were displayed on Entebbe airport. The KCC speaker, Abdul Nsereko, said the posters of visiting heads of state and flags representing their countries would be put up by today. "Posters of some of the leaders may not be displayed because their countries did not send them in time," he said. At Kololo, three stands, one to be used for the swearing-in, were being decorated. A UTV out-door broadcasting (OB) van was already in place. Meanwhile Police yesterday issued guidelines for motorists and pedestrians going to attend the ceremony, reports Davis Weddi. Police deputy spokesman Eric Naigambi yesterday said in a press release that Acacia Avenue would be closed from 8:00am. He warned that no firearms, unauthorised cameras and other electronics will be allowed at the venue and abandoned bags and packages may be destroyed. He said vehicles found parked on the routes to Kololo Airstrip will be towed away at owners risk, he added. The statement said the public will access the airstrip through Lower Kololo Terrace where entrances have been created. "Only vehicles with red stickers will be allowed to Wampewo Avenue. This route will be one-way," he said. Motorists from north of Kampala are to approach the airstrip through Kira Road and Lugogo By-pass. Parking is reserved at the Lugogo grounds. Those from the east, west and south of the city will use Jinja Road to branch to Lugogo By-pass. Parking is reserved at the Green Car park. Motorcyclists and taxis will off-load passengers at designated points on Jinja Road and will not be allowed into Wampewo. Ends