The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has clarified that the recent deployment of Military Police at road checkpoints across the Kampala Metropolitan Area is not aimed at apprehending National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi said the operation is a joint exercise between the UPDF Military Police Brigade and the Uganda Police Force aimed at restoring discipline on the roads and enforcing traffic regulations.
“The UPDF Military Police Brigade, working with the Uganda Police Force have embarked on an operation to restore sanity on Ugandan roads, ensure full compliance with traffic regulations by ALL motorists, impound unregistered or numberless vehicles, and curb the illegal use of sirens, among other measures,” Magezi said.
According to Magezi, the operation began on Monday, March 9, 2026, and will continue for as long as necessary.
He dismissed claims circulating in some sections of the public that the snap checkpoints mounted by security forces were intended to track or arrest the NUP leader.
“This is therefore to dismiss the insinuations from some quarters that the snap checkpoints mounted by the Military and Uganda Police traffic corps is an effort to apprehend NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine). No one is looking for or interested in the NUP leader, the aim of the police forces is to restore discipline, total observance of traffic regulations, and curtail criminal activities by some motorists on the roads,” he said.
Magezi noted that such enforcement measures are not new and have previously been carried out to improve order and safety on the roads.
He urged motorists, including motorcycle riders, to cooperate with security personnel during the ongoing operation.
“Motorists, including motorcyclists, are urged to cooperate and comply with the Military Police and Uganda Traffic Police directives for the common good,” Magezi said.
Most checkpoints on several major roads within the Kampala Metropolitan Area are manned by military security officers who are stopping vehicles and conducting checks.
