CHRISTMAS: 64 arrested from Fame bar in Kololo

POLICE|CRIME|BARS

KAMPALA - The police in Kampala are preparing to arraign in courts of law at least 64 revelers who were arrested during a night swoop on Fame Bar and Restaurant on Christmas Day.

The police in Kampala Metropolitan area conducted several operations in various areas on Christmas where they netted several people who were engaged in partying, which were banned by the government in March this year due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) deputy spokesman stated that enforcement of Joint Security task forces on COVID -19 was conducted at Fame Bar and Restaurant along Acacia Avenue in Kololo and arrested 18 female revelers and 46 males, totaling 64.

He said the task force was involved in conducting similar operations in all divisions in Kampala due to failure by the revelers and bar owners to observe COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

According to Owoyesigyire, the operation was led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashiraf Seiko Chemonges, the Deputy Alert Commander based at Naguru police headquarters.

It also involved a combination of the police 999 operatives, Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and Crime Intelligence.

The suspects were still being detained at Kira Road police station and were expected to be produced in court on Monday December 28.

Sources within the security circles indicated that the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola directed the taskforce to conduct the operations after intelligence information revealed that some bars and drinking joints had turned into night clubs where people party throughout the night after compromising local security personnel.

"Some bars had turned into real clubs and people don't fear COVID-19, they think it is political," a source stated.

The source stated that the operations would continue up to the New Year and had sent out their intelligence gatherers on places that were organizing for the New Year.

Fame Bar and Restaurant is said to have been using their social media platforms to invite people for events on free entry.

The suspects, according to Owoyesigyire were being held on charges of engaging in a negligent act likely to spread an infectious disease contrary to section 171 of the Penal Code Act.

On the same night, the taskforce, working with police in Katwe and Kira Division arrested 329 suspects from various bars which included Happy Boys Namasuba, New Best Hotel Nateete and several others targeting bars that were operating contrary to the Ministry of Health guidelines.

They were still being held at Katwe Police and Kira Division. He warned bar owners against violating the ministry guidelines on the spread of Coronavirus.