Rwerere Residents Accuse Newly Deployed Police Constables of Enforcing ‘Curfew’
Rukungiri: A section of residents in Rwerere Town Council, Rukungiri District, have raised complaints against the newly passed police constables deployed across the district, accusing them of imposing an illegal curfew during night patrols.
While speaking to our reporter on January 2, Medard Arisasibwa, a resident of Rwerere Town Council, said the constables whom he described as “police in gumboots” have started carrying out several arrests, mainly targeting people found in bars before midday and after midnight. He wondered whether there is any law that restricts people from enjoying leisure activities such as drinking beer and waragi at those hours.
Arisasibwa added that the constables, who were trained mainly to provide security during the upcoming general elections, are now arresting travelers and people in trading centers. He claimed that they recently arrested a parish chief only identified as Kaburahoona.
Cue in… MEDARD…RR
In response, Rukungiri District Police Commander (DPC) Brian Ampaire confirmed that 1,158 police constables were passed out on a three-month contract to support security operations ahead of the 2026 general elections. They were deployed in different parts of the district to help with patrols and crime prevention.
Ampaire emphasized that the constables are not allowed to arrest people during their social hours without proper reason. He clarified that there is no curfew anywhere in Uganda, and cautioned the constables against illegal arrests.
He directed officers in charge of police stations to supervise the constables closely so they perform their duties lawfully. He also appealed to the public to respect the constables while they carry out their work.
Cue in… DPC on constables… RR/ENG
The head of district security and Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Bron Kikanshemeza, urged the public to live responsibly. He questioned why people spend long hours in bars before midday and past midnight while their families are at home sleeping.
Cue in… RDC on constables… RR