By: Melanie Aanyu

President Museveni has directed the removal of all roadblocks on the highways with immediate effect.

The President is said to have given the directive to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Wednesday, and she is supposed to ensure that concerned agencies implement the orders.

Ms Nabbanja said there are more than 39 roadblocks on the highways that impede the free movement of goods.

Museveni has been vocal against roadblocks, saying they do not help in crime detection, but provide a fertile ground for corruption and delay of movement of goods.

The President also banned them in 2014. They were re-established in 2016 in a traffic operation dubbed Fika Salama, which was intended to fight errant motorists. President Museveni again ordered their removal over corruption.

Roadblocks were again re-established in 2020 during the enforcement of Covid-19 regulations and many had not been removed.

President Museveni told Ms Nabbanja that the roadblocks jeopardise the free movement of goods and services across the East African Community member States.