A section of people from Kisoro have protested against the reinstatement of the Kanaba checkpoint near the Kisoro-Rubanda boundary.
They include those living within and outside Kisoro district, who claim that the checkpoint is only a fertile ground for corrupt security officers.
The news of the reinstatement of Kanaba checkpoint was first confirmed by the Kisoro LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana in a WhatApp group, saying he had attended a regional security meeting where he was convinced to accept the checkpoint.
However, after a backlash from the group members, Bizimana backtracked and denied accepting the proposal, and said the checkpoint is only a trap targeting to collect money from Kisoro people during the festive season.
Those against the checkpoint say it is used by security to torment and collect money from people, especially those found travelling without National IDs. They say people are forced to disembark from vehicles in the cold of the night and under the rain, unlike at other security roadblocks.
On his twitter handle, Bizimana said “the checkpoint works as a border point and appears to cut Kisoro from Uganda.” He wonders how the checkpoint that was first set up during the Covid-19 lockdown to enforce SOPs turned into a security roadblock.
A one Hagumimana Robert and Hakizimana Morris wondered “why should all travellers leave the taxis and buses at night or in the rain for clearance, yet it’s not done at other checkpoints?”
Hagumimana also asked “why should Kisoro have a checkpoint at its entry, unlike other border districts like Kanungu, Kabale, Kasese and others. This appears to show that Kisoro is not considered part of Uganda, which should be publicly declared by the government!”
Voice of Muhabura understands that the checkpoint was reinstated at Kanaba on Thursday, and travelers confirm that on Friday, joint police and UPDF teams searched buses leaving and entering Kisoro.
Usually, passengers are asked to leave vehicles to show their National Identity Cards before they cross and re-enter the vehicles.
However, this is seen as lacking since the luggage is not checked.
“It is not a security checkpoint but a money minting trap. If you don’t have an ID, you give them money. Will they refuse money from criminals? They even don’t check what people are carrying!” said a resident on condition of anonymity.
Last week, the Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola ordered the director of Operations to reinstate all police road blocks and checkpoints on all major roads and highways which had been removed.
In October this year, President Museveni directed Police to remove all road blocks and checkpoints after complaints from traders and tourists that they were being inconvenienced and delayed.
According to Fred Enanga the police spokesperson, there was an increase in criminality including cattle thefts and drug trafficking.
Fred Enanga noted that the reinstalled road blocks will be headed by an officer in Charge who will be responsible for making operational decisions including arrests and searching of suspects.
He asked officers at the roadblocks to be vigilant in the wake of attacks on security personnel.
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