By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
WAMALA
Police in the Wamala region have with immediate effect banned the sale of petrol and other flammable products in plastic containers, citing security concerns ahead of the elections.
The directive was issued on Monday by the Wamala Regional Police spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, following a security threat assessment meeting.
“Security in the Wamala region has issued a directive to all dealers in petroleum products to halt the sale of petrol and other flammable products to people carrying bottles, jerrycans and other suspicious containers,” Kigozi said.
He warned that selling fuel in plastic bottles poses a serious public safety risk, especially at a time when the country is heading into a politically sensitive election period.
According to police, the decision was informed by rising political tension among supporters of different candidates in the region, raising fears that flammable substances could be misused by ill-intentioned individuals.
Police have advised motorists, boda boda riders and other users of petroleum products to use appropriate and safe methods when drawing fuel into their vehicles and motorcycles.
Security agencies also discouraged parking at fuel stations during both day and night, saying the measure is intended to reduce vulnerability to potential attacks and abuse of dangerous substances.
“This is intended to curtail the abuse of such dangerous substances by ill-intended persons,” Kigozi said.
The ban applies across the Wamala region, and fuel station operators have been warned to comply or face enforcement action.
