Security authorities in the Wamala region have directed all fuel dealers to stop selling petrol and other flammable products to customers using plastic bottles, jerrycans and other suspicious containers, as the country heads into presidential and parliamentary elections.
The directive follows a security threat assessment that identified the risk of misuse of inflammable substances during a period of heightened political tension among supporters of different candidates.
The Wamala Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Lameck Kigozi, said the measure is aimed at safeguarding the public and preventing criminal or disruptive activities linked to the election period.
“As the polling day for President and Members of Parliament gets closer, 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 explained that the decision was reached after a threat assessment meeting that reviewed the dangers such products pose to public safety at a time of political tension in the region.
Police have advised motorists, boda boda riders and other fuel users to purchase fuel directly into their vehicles and motorcycles at fuel stations. In addition, security officials have discouraged parking at fuel stations during both day and night as part of the preventive measures.
“This is intended to curtail the abuse of such dangerous substances by ill-intended persons,” Kigozi added.
The directive takes immediate effect as security agencies step up measures to maintain law and order in the Wamala region ahead of polling day.
