Uganda’s cops douse fireworks fun

Traditionally, the main fireworks in Kampala, Uganda, come from hotel roof tops, much to the delight of tourists and locals alike. But this New Year, citing security concerns that criminal elements might use the cover of the fireworks to commit offenses, the midnight fun will be quite limited.

Information is emerging through local media channels that fans of New Year’s fireworks will have all but five minutes, come midnight on December 31, to enjoy, admire, and photograph Kampala’s fireworks before the fun will be over, courtesy of an apparent directive by the Uganda Police.

Many Kampaleans that night assemble at vantage points on the higher hills from where they can see over the city the grand spectacle unfold in the skies over Uganda’s capital city.

Compared to the fireworks which will be on display across the main television channels, starting from Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, over to Hong Kong and Dubai, and eventually reaching such cities as Berlin, Paris, and London, before moving across the Atlantic to New York – all places where the displays last for at least 15 minutes and at times even longer – Kampala will have but just a few minutes to ring in the New Year and enjoy the light show in the skies.