By KT Reporter
The morning rains over most parts of Kampala metropolitan dampened the end of year fete preparations. A visit to various places in Kampala City revealed a quiet atmosphere even at venues known to have a bee hive of activities on the eve of the end year celebrations.
At Lubiri where CBS FM, the Buganda kingdom radio holds end of year fete known as a Nkuuka y’Omwaka, it was quiet without much activities taking place save a team of men erecting performance stage.
Previously, December 30 which is the eve of end of year Nkuuka fete would have a beehive of activities with businessmen and women erecting various service tents at strategic points. However, today, the atmosphere was very quiet with only a few food stalls being erected.
Other than the quiet environment, the morning rains have stirred mud and causing worry to some of the business people on what the situation will be like in case it pours again in the night or tomorrow morning.
“The mud has accumulated very early and I am worried of what will happened if it rains again in the night or in the morning; this might scare people from coming because the mud has accumulated early,” a woman called Betty Ssanga said.
A man, Tonny Ssempa, who had parked his motorcycle opposite the entrance of Lubiri wondered why it was too quiet as if there will be no Nkuuka fete. Ssempa said ‘things have changed’ compared to what has been happening with the previous Nkuuka fetes.
“Things have changed,Ssempa said. “I can’t imagine that there is no any blockade on these roads like it normally happens on the eve of Nkuuka. There are no soldiers or police officers manning the entrance. I hope these things will be done in the evening.”
Inside Lubiri, security commanders led by Senior Superintendent of Police -SSP Moses Nanoka, were holding a meeting to discuss the final security masterplan for end of year events in Kampala like Nkuuka which attracts mammoth crowds.
Other than security preparations, the morning rains disrupted the setting up of tents where the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi sits and others for special invited guests from Buganda kingdom and central government. By afternoon, men were still fastening the tends while plastic chairs were still piled at various points.
Venues such as Old Kampala secondary school where born-again pastor David Kiganda normally holds pass over prayers, was also still quiet. The situation wasn’t different at Lugogo Cricket Oval where music promoter Abby Musnguzi alias Abitex has organized end of year music concert.
Some people who travel to village for Christmas hastily return to Kampala to mark the end of year at various venues ranging from Nkuuka, prayer centres, hotels such as Sheraton and Serena or bars. It is believed that the hasty return to celebrate the end of the year contributed to Monday’s 15 hours traffic gridlock in Mpigi district along Masaka-Kampala highway.
The traffic gridlock forced people to spend at least 12 -15 hours stuck on road until traffic police diverted vehicles to alternative but lengthy routes. “Due to heavy traffic congestion in Mpigi, motorists heading to Kampala have been diverted to use the Kasanje–Nakawuka route, while those heading to Masaka have been diverted to use the Gomba–Sembabule route. We urge all motorists to comply with officers’ directives for smooth traffic flow & safety,” SP Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson said.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, urged Ugandans to celebrate the New Year responsibly and also ensure they leave their homes in safe hands. Owoyesigyire also warned people against walking alone following of a body of a woman that was discovered on waters of Lake Victoria in Nkumba central zone.
Police have also warned individuals intending to cause havoc during New Year’s Day celebration to abandon their evil acts early enough as security have prepared to handle any criminality by deploying overt and covert security personnel.
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