Curfew drops banking hours

According to the Kampala capital City Authority (KCCA), Kampala city roads have a carrying capacity of approximately 45,000.

A grid of vehicles trapped in a traffic jam during the private vehicle lift of the Coronavirus Lockdown is overwhelming Kampala City’s roads, prompting some business institutions to cut their working hours.

“Be informed we are closing at 2:00 pm starting from today to manage the curfew time,” read a message sent to the Diamond Trust Bank customers on May 27. For any inquiries clients were requested to call 0800242242.

The readjusting of working hours follows the traffic jam that was faced beyond curfew time yesterday. 

Distances like Mukono and Matugga that take 30-45 minutes dragged on for hours on end. Some customers and staff spent a night in their cars at the nearest safe place to park.

According to the Kampala capital City Authority (KCCA), Kampala city roads have a carrying capacity of approximately 45,000.

On the roads the number of passengers recommended during the lift of the Lockdown is three per salon vehicles and four in a minibus that previously carried 14 passengers. 

Traffic officers equipped with their whistles could be seen blowing them and signaling to no avail.

“I got home an hour after the curfew deadline.  I was masked as the law requires, and I felt so exhausted from jam in Kamwokya, Wandegeya, and Bwaise,” said Joan Namutebi of Gayaza

This followed the lift of the Lockdown on May 27, when President Museveni allowed private vehicles to resume commuting at half the number of the individual unit carrying capacity.

“Public transport will resume June 2, after the distribution of free masks is complete,” said, Museveni. 

“But districts around the border points of Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan and DR of Congo will remain until June 21.”

Kampala City Metropolitan Uganda Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said anybody driving after curfew limit time risks arrest.

“Drivers have to budget their journey time,” said Onyango.  He said motorists would be allowed strictly between 6:30am and 7:00pm. 

“You risk spending a night in your car at a safe place,” he warned.

Since April 1 when the Lockdown was effected, all roads exiting the city have police officers making sure the law is followed to the dot to contain the spread of the pandemic