Uganda Police have announced a significant tightening of security in Kampala City and the greater Kampala area in preparation for the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+China summits scheduled from today until January 23, 2024. The move aims to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the high-profile international events.
Security forces, both visible and non-visible, have been strategically deployed across the city, with a particular focus on the summit route, which spans from Entebbe International Airport to Speke Resort Munyonyo. Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesman, emphasized that the Entebbe Expressway, connecting the airport to Kampala, would experience disruptions to traffic, and meticulous planning has been put in place to manage these disruptions.
"Traffic police will hold traffic flow at other road junctions, access roads, and regulate it according to the movement of delegates. We thus urge all motorists to comply with traffic police directives. No motorcycles will be allowed to access the summit route (Entebbe Airport to Speke Resort Munyonyo)," stated Enanga.
To accommodate the summit's logistics, some boda boda stages along the summit routes and hotels where visiting heads of states will be residing have been relocated and absorbed into other stages.
Enanga assured visiting teams of comprehensive security measures, including airport security, marine security, convoy management, access controls, venue and hotel security, close protection, aerial surveillance, medical response, crime prevention, proactive policing, public order management, and counter-terrorism measures.
"To all Ugandans, this is a major moment for us to shine on the world stage. Let us remain friendly and hospitable, like we have always been," Enanga emphasized.
The main routes for the summits include the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway to Speke Resort Munyonyo, with diversions planned at key points such as Mpala, Kisubi, Kajjansi flyover, Serena-Kigo traffic lights, Mutungo-Kitiko traffic lights, and Busabala traffic lights. Motorists are advised to adhere to traffic diversions and security checkpoints for the duration of the international events.
As Uganda prepares to host thousands of delegates and leaders for the NAM and G77+China summits, the heightened security measures underscore the importance of a safe and secure environment for successful diplomatic engagements.
