The Uganda Police Force has issued regulations for the use of fireworks as the festive season approaches. Many people throughout the nation welcome the new year by setting off fireworks.
However, only individuals with Police authorization are permitted to set off fireworks. The Police Spokesperson, Kituuma Rusooke outlined several guidelines in a recent press conference that must be followed during this period.
According to Kituuma, the Uganda Police Force receives requests for fireworks displays from various organizations, including hotels, entertainment venues, and places of worship. Nonetheless, several regulations must be adhered to before and after approval is granted.
He mentioned that anyone wishing to use fireworks must submit a request to the Inspector General of Police. Once permission is granted, they must inform the public through both print and electronic media.
Additionally, all fireworks must be obtained from authorized vendors. Moreover, no one is allowed to set off fireworks for more than five minutes, as exceeding this limit may lead to consequences. He encouraged the public to report any such violations so that Police can take appropriate action.
All fireworks must be purchased and transported to their destination under the oversight of the Uganda Police. Furthermore, storing fireworks at home is not allowed due to their explosive nature.
Only those with experience in handling fireworks will be permitted to set them off. Also, venues for these events must first receive inspection and approval from the Police. Furthermore, the District Police Commander holds the authority to cancel any venue failing to comply with these guidelines.
Below are the guidelines as communicated by Kituuma Rusooke:
“We anticipate fireworks during the festive period. UPF receives requests from various organizations, such as hotels, entertainment venues, and places of worship, celebrating the new year. We share several regulations with these entities, but for public awareness, please note the following:
Any party wishing to set off fireworks must apply to the IGP for consent. If approved, the applicants will be required to announce their permission through both print and electronic media.
Fireworks must be purchased solely from licensed vendors. It’s crucial for the public to understand that acquiring fireworks material is not simply about purchasing them.
The public should also be aware that when Police grants permission for fireworks, a maximum duration of five minutes is allowed. There have been reports of people using fireworks for up to 20 minutes, which is unacceptable and may result in repercussions.
Police will intervene in such cases. Therefore, the public should know that no one is permitted to discharge fireworks for longer than five minutes, and violations should be reported.
All fireworks must be obtained and escorted with Police assistance, typically involving the counter-terrorism unit and the DPC for storage.
We want to emphasize that storing fireworks in homes is prohibited as they are classified as explosives.
Fireworks will be handled only by those with explosive blaster licenses under Police supervision. It is crucial to remember that these are explosives requiring expert handling.
The venues designated for fireworks displays will be assessed by the district or regional Police Commander for their suitability.
In addition, the DPC is authorized by the Police Force to halt any venue not adhering to these protocols.”
https://twitter.com/PoliceUg/status/1867048586112012448
