Kenya beefs up security at Uganda, Burundi missions
Jul 26, 2011
SECURITY at the Uganda and Burundi missions in Nairobi has been beefed up.
By Cyprian Musoke and Agencies
SECURITY at the Uganda and Burundi missions in Nairobi has been beefed up.
The move follows renewed fears of possible attacks owing to the two countries’ active role in the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Uganda and Burundi are the only countries which have peacekeeping troops in Somalia guarding the transitional government against al-Shabaab terrorists.
The al-Shabaab has been fighting over control of Somalia with the internationally-backed transitional federal government forces.
The rebels have been a constant threat to regional security and have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks. They include the July 2010 bombings in Kampala which killed over 70 people.
Kenya, too, has been a victim of the militant group’s criminal activities.
According to reports from Nairobi, Kenya has had to deploy extra security to protect the two missions in Nairobi. Security for diplomats has also been stepped up.
At a closed meeting between Nairobi’s African diplomatic corps and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 14, internal security minister George Saitoti, alluded to the terrorist threat and reassured diplomats resident in Kenya of their security.
Uganda’s foreign affairs permanent secretary Ambassador James Mugume yesterday lauded the move, saying it would be replicated here.
“Whenever you get a threat you take it seriously. Our security has been advised and they are taking the necessary measures,†he said.
Kenya’s acting foreign affairs permanent secretary, Patrick Wamoto, who attended the meeting, confirmed that the Uganda High Commission and the Burundi Embassy had received threatening calls.
Anti-terrorism officials were also said to have increased security for the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi after police obtained information that the mission was likely to be hit. The police are monitoring the area closely.
The Kenyan press quoted Wamoto as saying: “When Uganda and Burundi sent their troops to Somalia, we knew such threats would come.â€
He added that the two missions had received suspicious phone calls which necessitated tightening security around their premises.
“Whether the calls were hoaxes or not, we are not going to take chances because we understand the crucial role they (Uganda and Burundi) play in Somalia,†Wamoto said.
SECURITY at the Uganda and Burundi missions in Nairobi has been beefed up.
The move follows renewed fears of possible attacks owing to the two countries’ active role in the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Uganda and Burundi are the only countries which have peacekeeping troops in Somalia guarding the transitional government against al-Shabaab terrorists.
The al-Shabaab has been fighting over control of Somalia with the internationally-backed transitional federal government forces.
The rebels have been a constant threat to regional security and have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks. They include the July 2010 bombings in Kampala which killed over 70 people.
Kenya, too, has been a victim of the militant group’s criminal activities.
According to reports from Nairobi, Kenya has had to deploy extra security to protect the two missions in Nairobi. Security for diplomats has also been stepped up.
At a closed meeting between Nairobi’s African diplomatic corps and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 14, internal security minister George Saitoti, alluded to the terrorist threat and reassured diplomats resident in Kenya of their security.
Uganda’s foreign affairs permanent secretary Ambassador James Mugume yesterday lauded the move, saying it would be replicated here.
“Whenever you get a threat you take it seriously. Our security has been advised and they are taking the necessary measures,†he said.
Kenya’s acting foreign affairs permanent secretary, Patrick Wamoto, who attended the meeting, confirmed that the Uganda High Commission and the Burundi Embassy had received threatening calls.
Anti-terrorism officials were also said to have increased security for the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi after police obtained information that the mission was likely to be hit. The police are monitoring the area closely.
The Kenyan press quoted Wamoto as saying: “When Uganda and Burundi sent their troops to Somalia, we knew such threats would come.â€
He added that the two missions had received suspicious phone calls which necessitated tightening security around their premises.
“Whether the calls were hoaxes or not, we are not going to take chances because we understand the crucial role they (Uganda and Burundi) play in Somalia,†Wamoto said.