Police issue fresh terror alert

By Eddie Ssejjoba                     

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura has said that agents of the Al shabab terrorist group entered the country around the festive season but failed to cause any havoc due to tight security.

He however warned that the terrorists are still around the country and asked people to be vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious characters in their localities.

The IGP was addressing residents of Ndejje-Lubugumu in Wakiso district where he ordered an immediate upgrade of the area police post into a station and increase the number of personnel from seven to 30.

He was responding to appeals from resident to beef up security after a series of robberies had occurred every night in the last six days after Christmas.

Camouflage

 The armed robbers dress in military uniforms and carry AK47 riffles. They erect roadblocks in a swamp between Lubowa Housing Estates and Ndejje-Lubugumu where they rob and batter motorists.

Kayihura directed the commander of the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Andrew Kaweesi to immediately deploy more men and ordered them to make night foot patrols.

 A victim, Faridah Nagawa broke down in tears as she narrated how she had been battered by the robbers Tuesday night as she drove through the area and all her belongings taken. Several other victims narrated their ordeals.

Local Council (LC) officials said there was a lot of insecurity and the few police personnel had not helped them much.

The IGP said he had ordered for the detention of six police officers who had been deployed to patrol the area on Tuesday night but neglected their duty.

Kayihura was also disturbed to learn that some policemen demand for money for fuel in order to respond to cries when robbers attack the area.

He ordered the commander to also investigate an alleged drunkard policeman who, on the New Year’s Day shot and injured four people and those that were extorting money from people on pretext of arresting them for idle and disorderly.

The area LC chairman, Sulaiman Ssejjengo reported that for the last six days thugs had been robbing travelers on a night basis, causing panic in the area. He said the men dress in military fatigues and carry pistols and AK47 riffles.

 Kaweesi apologized to the victims of the robberies and promised to immediately deploy more men with four motorcycles and several bicycles to crime preventers to improve security in the area.

He also pledged to set up a police post at the NSSF land, saying since the place was empty and bushy, it had caused a security risk to people who use the road at night.