POLICE | ENANGA | BOMBINGS

KAMPALA - The Police have urged members of public to be extremely vigilant as the country marks its first anniversary since the twin bombings that occurred at the Central Police Station (CPS) and Parliamentary Avenue. 

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga noted that November 16, 2022, would mark the first anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks that occurred, at CPS Kampala and Parliament Avenue. 

“It is, therefore, important to remember the three innocent civilians, George Katana, Ismael Basibe and Christopher Sande who died in the bomb attacks, and also honor the life of Police Constable Amos Kungu, who lost his life, while manning the checkpoint at CPS Kampala. 

We would also like to honor, the 37 police officers who sustained serious and critical injuries, while on duty at CPS Kampala on that day. Their sacrifices have continued to make our country safer and secure, and thus enabled the public to go about their daily activities normally,” Enanga said. 

He noted that although there are no specific threats directed at our county at this stage, terrorists have a philosophy of conducting repeated attacks during anniversaries. 

“It is against that background that as the Joint Security Agencies, we continue to call upon all Ugandans and visitors in the country, to remain vigilant, and united in the fight for our values of freedom, liberty and dignity,” Enanga added. 

He further explained that it is for these reasons that the counter-terror task teams have intensified their efforts to eradicate the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terror group within the country and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as one way to prevent future attacks. 

He said since September 2021, the number of counter-terror operations and investigations of suspected domestic violent extremists has increased. 

“For instance, on September 20, 2021, our task teams foiled a planned attack on the mourners at the burial of the former late Deputy Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech; on October 7, 2021, there was an explosion in Kawempe Police barracks, which destroyed two uniports, on October 23, 2021, the bomb attack on Digida Pork Joint at Komamboga killed Emilly Nyinaneza and injured others; on October 25, 2021, another suicide bomber, identified as Isaac Matovu aka Muzafaru, blew up himself in an Ishaka bound, Swift bus at Lugala-Mpigi; on October 16 2021, suicide bombers detonated improvised explosives at CPS Kampala, and at Parliament Avenue; on March 11, 2022, an improvised explosive device was recovered at the home of Kaggwa Umar, at Kireka-Biira in Wakiso,” Enanga said. 

He noted that in addition, their operational teams searched the home of one Moses Kalyowa aka Mozzy at Katooke – Nabweru, where they recovered an Improvised Explosive Device and that several other counter-terror operations against ADF were carried out in Lukaya-Kalungu and Butambala, where several suspects were arrested and materials used in the manufacture of IEDs recovered. 

“During May 2022, our Crime Intelligence operational teams arrested Isma Kyeyune alias Beckham alias Buguman and 30 others who admitted to operating a domestic ADF terror cell. Several IEDs manufactured by the suspects were recovered and exhibited. 

On November 25 2021, the Uganda Coalition For Change (UCFC) rebels attacked and injured 2 LDUs, then robbed an SMG riffle; on December 12, 2022, they attacked and hacked to death 2 police officers, at Sebobo village, Kibega parish, Busujju Town Council, on December 16, 2021, they attacked Nakasozi police station, Nakasengele village, where they shot dead 2 police officers and robbed 2 SMG rifles; other ADF terror cell was disrupted and dismantled in the areas of Butambala, Lugazi, Mukono, Lweza, Nabweru Katoke, Kasengejje-Kakiri, Luwero, Ibanda, Rubirizi, Ntoroko and in KMP,” Enanga stated. 

He maintained that as the police have always indicated, the attacks are from known enemies, the ADF and UCFC rebels, who seek to commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of their political goals and ideologies. 

“As Ugandans, we should reject terrorism, in all its forms, because it totally undermines the values of liberty, humanity, freedom and togetherness, which our country, Uganda dearly holds,’ Enanga said. 

He further said as the Joint Security Agencies, they will continue to prevent, disrupt and dismantle terror cells and activities (including domestic violent extremism) in the country. 

“The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and Forces for the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) forces, have been very instrumental in rooting out the ADF from their strongholds in the DRC. In addition, we have also intensified operations along our borders to prevent any illegal and hostile crossings and are continuously pursuing all perpetrators involved in terrorist financing, and in the recruitment and radicalization of children, among others,” Enanga stated. 

He also insisted that all persons arrested and those we are pursuing are not targeted for their beliefs, ideology, or religion, but due to their acts of conspiracy, and hostile engagements of violence perpetrated against Ugandans.