CID headquarters still open but restricted - Police

The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, is still open, although it is now a restricted place.

According to the CID spokesperson, Charles Mansio Twine, journalists who have been frequenting the place for news are requested not to go there for now.

The restriction comes at a time when the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, have been closed over COVID-19.

The closure came after some Police officers, including the director of the force's political commissariat, Asan Kasingye, tested positive for the virus. 

The officers have since gone into isolation to get treatment, while their other colleagues who tested negative are also under isolation for 14 days as required by the health ministry's standard operating procedures.

As a result, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the Naguru headquarters would be closed to allow the disinfection of the offices. 

When asked whether the restriction will not stall work and thus affect the investigation of cases, Twine said: "Encourage the public to desist from committing crimes, otherwise the Police is now stretched in fighting crime, but as well as fighting COVID-19."

Although the CID headquarters are still open, Twine noted that they discourage members of the public from going there, including journalists. 

Twine told journalists: "We shall update you."

The development comes at a time when the Finance Ministry has also issued a similar statement in which it warned the public to desist from visiting the ministry, especially those without anything urgent that warrants them to visit the ministry.

According to the finance ministry permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi, as part of the fight against COVID-19, only those with appointments would be allowed to visit the ministry. 

Muhakanizi added that they might be forced to ask for COVID-19 test certificates before allowing visitors in their offices. 

This was after the finance ministry also registered some COVID-19 cases upon testing the ministry staff.