Police warn of terrorism attack

Apr 06, 2011

THE Police have issued a fresh terror alert, warning that the Somali-based al-Shabaab militants were planning another attack on Uganda.

By VISION REPORTER

THE Police have issued a fresh terror alert, warning that the Somali-based al-Shabaab militants were planning another attack on Uganda.

Last year, the Islamic militants planted bombs, which killed over 75 revellers in Kampala.

The killer explosions went off at the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala on July 11, 2010.

The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, yesterday said security agencies have since heightened surveillance to thwart the new plan. He asked the public not to panic.

“The public should be aware of this threat and join the police and other security agencies in the fight against terror. We must use the basic security arrangements and precautionary measures,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Accordingly, the police have issued fresh measures that they argue, will deter the terrorists’ intentions. Among them is access control whereby people getting into buildings have to be thoroughly checked using metal detectors.

Kayihura asked people in charge of commuter buses and taxi parks to institute security checks for passengers, cargo and vehicles. Private parking yards must also be monitored.

The public, he added, should be alert at all times by identifying strange and suspicious-looking items like bags, cars, boxes and unexpected gifts.

Other seemingly ordinary items in which explosive material could be hidden are flowers, flasks, mail, parcels, abandoned suitcases, dust bins and electronics like television sets, radios, mobile phones, cameras and watches

Kayihura further advised the public to monitor their neighbourhoods by looking out for strange and suspicious-looking people and demanding for their identity. These people should be reported to authorities immediately.

Organisers of public events were asked to involve the police in planning and preparation.

The police, he said, would carry out impromptu inspection in popular places to ascertain compliance.

These include bars, hotels, shopping centres, taxi parks, bus terminals and places of worship.

Authorities at schools were asked to hire guards to search visitors.


(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});