Residents of Namugongo and Sonde areas have been given hope as Uganda Traffic Police assured them that they will be able to access their homes despite the heavy traffic of motor vehicles and pedestrians along major routes leading to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrines.

While speaking to our reporter, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Traffic commander, SSP Nsereko Kawuma said that they have only closed the Kyaliwajjala road, towards the prayer centers.

He added that, Traffic Police has not yet closed the roads until Martyrs day.

“We have only closed the Kyaliwajala road which is leading to the Martyrs Shrines, but the rest of the routes are still open. We are not meant to close until the D-Day (Martyrs day) when we will cut off all the major roads to the worship centers,” Nsereko said.

Nsubuga further said that there is an access route right via Ssemambo road where one can use to access Kyaliwajala-Sonde road.

He said that however, some roads will be diverted into one way; For instance Kireka to Kyaliwajala is going to be one way, Kyaliwajala to Nalya will also be one way out and one way in, from Kireka.

He noted that, from Kiira Town Council coming up to Kyaliwajala, people will be allowed to access their residences but only up to Ssemambo road.

“No one will be allowed to pass past Ssemambo road. However, after the traffic challenge has ceased, we will open for normal traffic flow on Martyrs day,” SSP Nsubuga said.

On the issue of pedestrians/pilgrims being knocked by vehicles, SSP Nsubuga said that, it is unfortunate that pedestrians are being knocked on the roads. He however, advised both pedestrians and drivers to be cautious while on the road.

He cautioned people to move on the right side of the road saying, “When moving on the right you are able to see the vehicle moving towards you but if a car is moving from behind you and loses control, it will knock you unawares. And I also advise pedestrians to move from extreme end of the road.”