The Joint Security Taskforce on Covid-19 has today named 25 shopping complexes in Kampala that are not following the directives issued by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The archades include: Nansamba Arcade, E Tower, Superior Complex, Sun City Plaza, Zainabu Aziza Plaza, Mini Price Plaza, Kasiiwukira Plaza, Qualicell House, God’s Grace Arcade, Majestic Plaza, Rafic Arcade, Ssembatya Arcade, White House Arcade, Qualicel Arcade, French Plaza, Total Plaza, Shamba Arcade, Trade Link Complex, Trans Nile Link plaza, Boost House, Rutunga House, Kabale Arcade, Batia Towera, Skylight Arcade and Shauriako Plaza.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said the 25 archades are up for sanctions which may include closure.
“We are generating this report to ensure that sanctions are taken against them and we are coming up with this new arrangement of naming and shaming,” Enanga said.
The Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs] that the government issued to arcades before they were allowed to open include providing hand washing facilities, using temperature guns to check everybody entering the premises and enforcing wearing of face masks and social distancing among others.
Enanga however applauded other arcades for following all the SOPs including; Mukwano mall, Mackay mall, Equatorial mall, Tropical plaza, Sanana supermarket, Kooki tower, Urban supermarket, Mabirizi Plaza, Collins books and media Centre, Prism plaza, Arua park plaza, People’s plaza, Modern Shoplex, Kati Kati plaza, Zaid plaza, Green House Shops, King Fahad Plaza, Titanic Plaza, London Chambers, Prime Complex, Monday Towers, The Mall, Ivory Plaza, Mutaasa Kafeero plaza, Bamako House, Namaganda Plaza, Master Electronic Plaza, Sure House, Tweze Plaza and Grand Corner House.
Bus terminals such as Namayiba bus terminal, Link bus terminal, Global bus terminal, Kalita bus terminal, Gaagaa bus terminal, Uganda bus terminal, Baby Coach bus terminal, New taxi park, Namirembe bus park and Usafi taxi park were also named as being compliant in implementing the SOPs.
Enanga said police are going to intensify their operations of arresting and impounding motor vehicles and boda bodas that are flouting the rules.
Last week, Police in Kampala Metropolitan Area impounded 1,363 boda bodas for not following SOPs such as not carrying more than one passenger and moving past the 6PM curfew time. At regional level, Enanga pointed out Moroto district as leading in enforcing coronavirus restrictions.
The heightened vigilance comes at a time when the country is registering an unprecedented number of people getting infected with coronavirus.
In a space of one week, more than 1000 people have tested positive for coronavirus while 29 have so far lost their lives