Uganda still on high terror alert

By David Lumu

Police and other security agencies are combing surveillance data after reports that terrorists are planning to bomb Kampala’s Garden City business centre and Nakumatt at nearby Oasis shopping mall.

On Sunday, Police increased surveillance with a truck full of cops stationed at the junction between the two malls.

Two Police patrol cars were also monitoring the situation at the entrances of the shopping malls as people braced themselves for thorough checks-ups.

In a statement, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura, on Friday asked the public to remain vigilant and cautious as security agencies verify the widely circulated report that originated from a bank.

“As Police and sister security agencies verify the information, we request members of the public to exercise vigilance, especially in public places such as places of entertainment,worship and public events.

"There should be no panic or fear. You should go about your business but exercise vigilance in all ways,” he said.

Kayihura’s brief comes at a time when the Police is probing Juma Sulaiman, 22, a Congolese national suspected to be linked to the al-Shabaab.

Juma, said to have intentions to carry out terror activities in Uganda, was arrested last month as he attempted to cross to Congo without travel documents.

Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said investigations about Juma are not complete.

The Police found Juma with documents concerning al-Shabaab.

When he was interrogated, he alleged that he had been in Tanzania studying at Imamushafi Islamic school since April 2009 until 2012.