Kampala — An uneasy calm has returned to most parts of Kampala after two days of riots that rocked the capital, leaving 14 dead and over 100 injured.
By Saturday early afternoon, no major disturbances were reported in the city centre and the suburbs.
Pedestrians, taxis and private vehicles could be seen back on the road, although traffic was low.
While businesses in the suburbs re-opened, most shops in the city centre remained closed. In downtown Kampala, shopping arcades kept their doors shut.
Taxi drivers at the city centre complained that there were few travellers. As a result, fares were reduced. Taxis from the city centre to Bweyogerere charged sh500, down from the usual sh1,000.
At Kisekka Market, which was the epicentre of the violence, the situation remained tense with heavy deployment of Police and the military. Traders were standing in groups on verandas in front of their locked shops.
On Luwum, William, Market and Johnson streets, traders were also seen gathered in groups, chatting.
Shops on Kampala and Jinja roads were closed, except for a few Indian traders dealing in electronics.
In the southern part of the city, security forces asked traders at Katwe Market to close their stalls and by 11:00am, the entire market was empty.
Banks all over the city remained closed. At Orient Bank on William Street, a concrete wall was being erected by constructors to replace the glass wall.
Some disturbances occurred in mid-morning, but they were quickly quelled by the combined Police and army force.
Groups of rioters temporarily cut off the entry points into the city from the northern side of Kampala.
Road blocks, manned by Mengo supporters, re-surfaced in Kawempe, Mpelerwe, Wakaliga and Wandegeya at around 11:00am.
However, security operatives on foot patrols swung into action and by 1:00pm the barricades had been removed.
Roads leading to the city centre were also briefly cut off by rioters, but by early afternoon theys had been cleared. There was heavy military presence with mixed Police and army brigades patrolling the streets around the old and new taxi parks and Owino Market.
At Bulange, the seat of the Kabaka, two Police patrol vehicles could be seen parked at the access road to the main gate. About 50 protestors carrying placards sat at the gate.
Business in the city's suburbs of Ntinda, Kisasi and Kulambiro, scenes of riots the previous day, was normalising, although there were few customers.
In Nateete, too, business was back to normal. Almost all shops were open and the public transport system had resumed.
By mid-morning, reports from Kayunga indicated that the town was quiet. Shops remained closed. There was heavy deployment of Police backed by the army and units of the Anti-Stock Theft Police. Mambas were stationed at the town centre as residents remained in-doors. Only three taxis were seen in the taxi park but there were no passengers.
By Barbara Among, Conan Businge, Raymond Baguma and Andante Okanya
By Saturday early afternoon, no major disturbances were reported in the city centre and the suburbs.
Pedestrians, taxis and private vehicles could be seen back on the road, although traffic was low.
While businesses in the suburbs re-opened, most shops in the city centre remained closed. In downtown Kampala, shopping arcades kept their doors shut.
Taxi drivers at the city centre complained that there were few travellers. As a result, fares were reduced. Taxis from the city centre to Bweyogerere charged sh500, down from the usual sh1,000.
At Kisekka Market, which was the epicentre of the violence, the situation remained tense with heavy deployment of Police and the military. Traders were standing in groups on verandas in front of their locked shops.
On Luwum, William, Market and Johnson streets, traders were also seen gathered in groups, chatting.
Shops on Kampala and Jinja roads were closed, except for a few Indian traders dealing in electronics.
In the southern part of the city, security forces asked traders at Katwe Market to close their stalls and by 11:00am, the entire market was empty.
Some disturbances occurred in mid-morning, but they were quickly quelled by the combined Police and army force.
Groups of rioters temporarily cut off the entry points into the city from the northern side of Kampala.
Road blocks, manned by Mengo supporters, re-surfaced in Kawempe, Mpelerwe, Wakaliga and Wandegeya at around 11:00am.
However, security operatives on foot patrols swung into action and by 1:00pm the barricades had been removed.
Roads leading to the city centre were also briefly cut off by rioters, but by early afternoon theys had been cleared. There was heavy military presence with mixed Police and army brigades patrolling the streets around the old and new taxi parks and Owino Market.
At Bulange, the seat of the Kabaka, two Police patrol vehicles could be seen parked at the access road to the main gate. About 50 protestors carrying placards sat at the gate.
Business in the city's suburbs of Ntinda, Kisasi and Kulambiro, scenes of riots the previous day, was normalising, although there were few customers.
In Nateete, too, business was back to normal. Almost all shops were open and the public transport system had resumed.
By mid-morning, reports from Kayunga indicated that the town was quiet. Shops remained closed. There was heavy deployment of Police backed by the army and units of the Anti-Stock Theft Police. Mambas were stationed at the town centre as residents remained in-doors. Only three taxis were seen in the taxi park but there were no passengers.
By Barbara Among, Conan Businge, Raymond Baguma and Andante Okanya
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