The district security committee of Mpigi has adjusted the nighttime curfew hours from 9pm to 7 p.m. across the district as a measure to control violence that has erupted in the area.
President Museveni announced a 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m curfew across the country. However, Mpigi Resident District Commissioner Rose Mary Byabasaija announced the changes after two days of protests that followed the arrest of President of the National Unity Platform Robert Kyagulanyi in Luuka.
Kyagulanyi who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly defying guidelines by the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Health for controlling the spread of COVID-19 during campaigns is appearing before Court today Friday.
Now, Byabasaija says that following the protests the security committee found it necessary to limit the movement of people at night time until sanity is restored.
“People are burning tires, throwing stones towards vehicles of innocent civilians and doing all sorts of hooliganism under the cover of darkness,” Byabasaija said. She adds that the measure is temporary.
According to Lydia Tumushabe Katonga Region Police Spokesperson, one person, a male adult only identified as Faizal was hit by a stray bullet during the protests, and by last evening, up to 21 people had been arrested in Mpigi, another four in Butambala and one in Gomba, for allegedly participating in the protests.
Those arrested face charges of malicious damage to property and disobeying lawful orders.