Traffic flow on the Kampala-Entebbe Highway remained calm as the highly anticipated Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit commenced on January 15. The summit is taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, with heavy security deployment along the road from Entebbe International Airport to the venue.
While there were earlier communications about a diversion of traffic heading to Kampala City Centre at Mpala and Kisubi to facilitate the movement of delegates on the Expressway, the road remained open and operational for motorists. According to an anonymous source within the police, the diversion of traffic would only occur as needed.
However, some individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the security measures implemented for the summit. Businessman Ismael Lubwama in Abaita Ababiri mentioned that security operatives chased them from the area. He highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses, such as snacks, restaurants, and chapati stalls, located along the main road.
Lubwama hoped that the visitors would leave quickly, emphasizing the need for better planning for future conferences. He suggested considering the impact on low-income earners who operate businesses by the roadside.
Lawrence Musisi, a boda boda rider at Abaita Ababiri, noted that they were instructed to remove some of the stages from the main road. While security personnel threatened to arrest and impound motorcycles, Musisi acknowledged that they had not been treated harshly. The stages along the main road were pushed back inside the connecting roads.
Some locals expressed concerns about the disruption caused by the summit and emphasized the importance of balancing security measures with the needs of businesses and residents.
