The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hoima city leaders have accused security personnel of implementing the presidential directives to curb the spread of Covid-19 with continued brutality and extortion.
Victims being brutalized and extorted during patrols and night curfews include boda-boda cyclists; shop keepers, mechanics, and restaurant operators.
The leaders including councillors expressed dismay over the failure by the city security committee to take action on the officers who are accused of brutalizing the residents.
Iddi Magezi, the district councilor representing Hoima East division wonders why police would assault people who are found on the streets heading home but leave bars to operate.
He says President Museveni ordered the closure of bars several months ago to curb the spread of Covid-19, but surprisingly bars in several parts of the city are freely operating and are being protected by security personnel. He also says that some of the officers enforcing curfew have resorted to extorting money from area residents.
Rehema Kusemererwa, the female representative of Persons with Disabilities accused security personnel of invading people’s homes during curfew hours. She says some officers attack residents while they are in their homes pretending to be enforcing the curfew.
Patrick Mugabi, the male workers representative noted that security personnel are found beating boda boda cyclists and impounding their motorcycles aimlessly.
Muhuta Akintole, the deputy City Resident Commissioner admits that they are investigating several officers deployed to enforce the curfew guidelines. He says that they have received several complaints accusing the personnel of extorting money and brutalizing residents.
He has urged locals to identify security personnel who mistreat them so that appropriate action is taken on them.
He tasked the leaders to help sensitize the public to respect all the guidelines put in place by the government to curtail the spread of Covid-19.
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